#blughead

[barchiefanfiction]

Doors of Perception

by @barchied / Kate

Prompt:  "Tell me you don’t have feelings for me. Tell me that right here, right now, standing this close to me that you feel nothing for me. Tell me!"

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/17649569

When he opens the door, it doesn’t lead him to his bedroom. He doesn’t find his sleeping form tucked in his bed waiting to be destroyed by this tougher, darker version of himself. Instead, he sees the door of her house. Just like he had what seemed like a lifetime ago now. In a further moment of deja vu, he watches as the door opens and Betty comes out wearing that same pink dress she’d worn to the dance. The one, he realizes now, she was wearing in the vision he’d just had of his friends in the cabin, encouraging him to play. He doesn’t have time to unpack that yet because she’s striding toward him both confident and nervous and he remembers this moment with such stark clarity that he knows what’s coming next.

His heart is beating in his ears as she speaks. Tells him she isn’t going to ask what happened with him and Veronica at Cheryl’s and he has to stifle a laugh because in the grand scheme of everything that seems so insignificant and faraway now. But then she’s asking him that question he got wrong the first time and it’s suddenly crystal clear why his subconscious has sent him back to this moment. “I’m asking if you love me…” The tears stinging her eyes are enough to break his heart all over again.

He remembers what he said the first time. Of course he loved her! But he wasn’t good enough, she was too perfect. He hadn’t meant for those words to hurt her, they were supposed to spare her the pain that he saw foreshadowed in their future. But, as it turned out, their lives would be riddled with pain anyway. Despite his best efforts to protect her by pushing her away, things had still gone to shit. Perhaps that had been his gravest mistake; to deny his feelings for her. They had always been better together after all; stronger, smarter, more capable.

The pained look on her face drew him back to reality. He was taking too long to answer. But, he has to get it right this time. “Of course I love you,” he echoed his response to their original conversation. He moved closer to her though and willed himself to find the right words this time.

“Okay so then why don’t you...want me?” Her voice was thick and her eyes were rimmed red. He hates seeing her like this, especially when he knows he’s the cause of her sadness. Ultimately, wasn’t that what he was trying to avoid in the first place? Wasn’t that why he’d rejected her to begin with?

He takes her hand in spite of himself. “It’s not that simple-.” But, wasn’t it? His courage staggers for a moment and he forces himself to take a ragged breath. “I’m scared,” he confesses that as much to himself as to her. “If I hurt you, if I caused irreparable damage to our friendship I would never be able to forgive myself.” He’s surprised he’s actually said those words out loud but after the other scenarios he’s been through so far, he knows he should just be honest with himself. This will go a lot easier if he just learns whatever this vision is trying to teach him or make him see. “You’re the most important person to me in the entire universe, Bets.” His hand had moved, seemingly on its own accord, to cup her face and he couldn’t help but feel his heart clench at the way she relaxed so willingly into his touch, how her eyes fluttered closed. Her absolute trust in him wasn’t forced or feigned, it was built on their foundation of friendship, of the love she’d always harbord for him. That love, however, had long blossomed into something more for the both of them. Of course in this dream or alternate reality or whatever it was he had the advantage of knowing things she didn’t know. Things this still innocent version of herself could never imagine they’d go through. She was still capable of holding onto optimism because she didn’t know what would happen.

“It’s not going to ruin anything.” She spoke the words assuredly, like it was a promise she could keep for the both of them out of sheer will alone. “It’s going to make everything better; make us closer.” It was like she could feel his thoughts radiating off of him.

He wants to believe her and some parts of him do. Their fingers have become intertwined at his left side and his skin tingles where it touches hers. Their connection is magnanimous and undeniable, and suddenly anything he wants to say about her being in love with some version of him she’s conjured up in her head seems worthless and unwarranted. His natural inclination is to push her away, reiterate that he’ll never be good enough for her. But perhaps he’s been sent back to this moment because he isn’t supposed to use those excuses this time.

Yet, as he studies her perfect, full, bottom lip that is practically screaming out to be touched by him, he still feels the need to send her away. “It’s not that I don’t want you, Betty.” The confession slips out before he can stop it and now he can’t take it back. It hangs between them only briefly before it’s tarnished by his next statement. “But I don’t deserve you or the way you’re looking at me. I have this darkness inside of me and I can’t let it hurt you.” It’s a chore to force out the last part. Because it’s the truth. That’s what he’s always wanted to protect her from, the darkness that exists inside of him. The one that makes him thirsty for revenge at any cost. The one that sent him on the run in the first place. He can’t risk letting her get caught in whatever crosshairs he’ll undoubtedly find on him.

He expects to find sadness on her face but he finds wistfulness instead. In fact, if he’s not mistaken, she actually giggles and shakes her head at him. “Oh Arch, you don’t think I already know that?” It’s her turn to cup his face and he can’t help but have a similar response of relaxing with ease into her soft, sweet touch. “I have darkness in me too,” She whispers softly, her voice almost a breeze against his skin. “But, I’m not afraid of the dark, especially not when I’m with you. Besides, we can bring flashlights.” She flashes him a misplaced smile and he wants to grin with her, let her positivity be infectious, but he feels restrained still and like he needs to put up a fight, for both of their sakes.

“It’s not that simple Bets-”

“It can be though.” She dares back before he can finish that half-assed argument he’d barely even crafted.

“I’m not sure I can be the man you want or deserve, I just-”

She steps closer to him and the sudden proximity cuts him off before her words do. Her wistful tone has been replaced by a more challenging one. “Tell me you don’t have feelings for me. Tell me that right here, right now, standing this close to me that you feel nothing for me.” Her chest is pressed to his now and any semblance of space between them no longer exists. If he’d thought he was tingling when their skin made contact earlier, then he was practically vibrating now.

“Betty, I-”

“Tell me!” She challenged again, drawing her hand down to rest against his chest, her fingers tapping expectantly against the less than luxurious fabric of his suit jacket.

He wants to tell her all of those things. He wants to spare her the pain of loving him like he did in reality. But this is a dream. A hallucination at best, what’s the harm in just seeing what it would be like? Her eyes shine with expectancy and hope and he can’t bring himself to destroy it. Not here. Not this time. “I could tell you those things.” He sighs, looking down so that their eyes are locked on each others, “But, you’ve always been able to tell when I was lying so it wouldn’t do me any good anyway.”

She opens her mouth to respond but her lips parting this close to him seems to awaken some carnal and instinctive need within him because the next thing he knows he’s kissing her. It’s not timid or reserved like their real first kiss, the one they’d shared at the wrong place and time in front of Cheryl’s. No, this kiss is in a class of its own. His arm snakes around her waist, his hand settling at the small of her back, melding them together. This kiss says everything he’s never been able to articulate about how he feels about her and what she means to him. This kiss changes everything.

Suddenly, he’s overcome with overwhelming sadness because this isn’t really happening. This isn’t really Betty. She isn’t really his. This harsh dose of reality breaks their kiss. He doesn’t realize he’s crying until her thumbs are brushing away his tears. “What’s wrong?” She asks softly, drawing him against her without hesitation or reservation.

“It’s not real.” He whispers, but even so he lets himself kiss her again because even though it’s not real; it could’ve been. And this is how it would’ve felt. He’s suddenly angry for robbing them both of this experience. He knows he’ll never forget the feel of her lips or the taste of them, even when he wakes up. He knows he’ll never stop craving them. He also knows he’ll never have them, not anymore. She loves Jug. The window he’d single-handedly decided needed t be forcibly closed, locked, and sealed- would remain that way.

When the kiss breaks this time they’re no longer standing outside of her house. As he opens his eyes he notices they’re somehow in his room. He looks around, confused at first. The room is basked in a faint glow of moonlight and street lamps that permeate through his uncurtained window. It creates a halo around her already angelic blonde hair, “It can be real.” She affirms, pressing her lips to his again and moving them backward.

When he feels his knees hit the side of the bed, he sits, pulling her with him. “We can’t,” He sighs, “We shouldn’t-” But every excuse he tries to muster dies on his lips as they find hers again. “Fuck it-” He mutters to himself, giving in to his desires once and for all. If this isn’t real- there can’t be any consequences to giving in any way.

His deft fingers find the zipper of her dress and it gives them both chills when he tugs it down and the fabric falls from her shoulders. His breath catches as he looks at the matching lingerie set she wears that tells the story of how she’d hoped the night would end. He wonders if this is something his own mind has conjured up, but somehow, he knows it isn’t. He stops trying to rationalize any of this and finally lets go.

He makes love to her. It’s more than he could ever imagine. He feels everything he’s ever wanted to feel. The love that radiates off of her is overwhelming. They cuddle after, before going at it again. And then a third time. He knows he has to savor this while he can. He thinks maybe it’s selfish, but if this hallucination is the only he way he gets to be with her for the rest of his life, he’s going to make it count while he still can. He assumes that when he falls asleep he’ll either wake up to the next part of the game or maybe he’ll have succumbed to his injuries and whatever purgatory he’d been experiencing for the past however long would cease to exist.

He supposed there would be a kind of beauty in it all ending like this. In fact he almost wills himself to slip away and let this be his last memory, even if it isn’t real. He lets his eyes close briefly and sleep is ready to come for him, but her voice brings him back. “What are you thinking about?” She asks quietly.

His eyes snap open, willing him to stay here as long as he can. “How I wish this was real.” He admits earnestly, knowing she probably won’t understand. His voice is thick with sleep and his eyes become heavy again. He knows he can’t hold on much longer, but he isn’t exactly sure what it means. He isn’t as scared as he thought he would be, though.

Everything starts fading away into blackness and he feels the dream coming to an end. He feels tears spring in his eyes and he tightens his grip on her body, which is heaped sleepily against his, not ready to let go yet. Eventually, even the feeling of her begins to fade and just before the moment ends completely, he hears her voice in the faintest of whispers. “It is.”

Then, everything fades to black.

When he comes to, he knows something doesn’t seem quite right, but he can’t exactly place it. In fact, he finds himself in his bedroom and it feels like it’s been weeks since he’s actually been here. When the bed shifts and a warm body is pressed against his, lips bestow a lazy kiss to the place where his would-be injury should have covered. Afraid whatever moment this is might end if he opens his eyes, he keeps them closed, yet he tugs the form close against him. He needn’t see her to know it’s Betty. He can feel her, all around him. He still has the wherewithal to understand the importance of savoring this feeling.  “I had a strange dream..” He mumbles, trying to remember what it was.

He conjures up bits and pieces of memories that seem to be swirling around his mind. It’s hard to tell what’s real and what isn’t. Something about a bear, Betty loving Jughead, being on the run from Hiram Lodge? But just as quickly as those notions appear in his mind’s eye, they flit away before he can fully understand. It doesn’t help that his companion is drawing distracting shapes against his warm, bare skin which only serves to make it harder to concentrate. Suddenly, he recalls details in more clarity. The feel of her fingernails dragging across his back and digging into his shoulder. The fireworks her lips left behind as they trailed over his skin. The soft rock of her hips that culminated in moans of ecstasy. “Betty…” Her name is barely a whisper as his nerves ignite with the memory of how making love to her felt in that dream.

He’s startled more fully awake when he hears a response of “Hmm?” And then the body that had been draped over him shifts again, causing him to open his eyes. He looks down and sees her expectant face and for a moment he’s unable to process that it’s actually her until she pushes a strand of blonde hair back out of her eyes. Her hair is piled in a messy bun atop her head and he can tell that the game or hallucination as brought him to a new scenario.

“You’re still here.” Then, more sadly he adds, “That means I’m still dreaming,” He smiles in spite of himself because even though this can’t be real, he’s content to spend a little more time living in this fantasy he’s created for them. Maybe he’s in a coma in a hospital in Canada and this is all being induced by a line of morphine being pumped into him steadily through an IV. Whatever it is, he’s happy to stay here with her as long as he can.

When her lips are against his an instant later, he can’t help but notice just how real this feels. Last night he was fully aware that everything he was feeling was the product of his imagination. But as he rakes his fingers over her bare chest, the goosebumps that form underneath seem to have appeared on their own accord. He studies her like a book, his eyes taking in every finite detail of the way she looks. He hates himself for rejecting her. Wishes that this was reality and the other stuff was the dream. Or nightmare, as it were. He knows he can’t stay here with her forever but he knows he isn’t ready for it to end either. “I’m so in love with you,” He mutters tearfully before capturing her lips again, pulling her against him.

Each iteration of this dreamworld serves to reaffirm that every single thing that has gone wrong in his life has stemmed from rejecting her. Every version of her is blissfully unaware of all he has cost them and he can’t bring himself to confess to her that he fucked it up. It takes six rounds of this same instant before he’s fully realizing what he’s meant to do. Why he’s here. Why she is.

He’s been going about it all wrong. When the hallucinations brought him back to their moment in front of her house, the night of the dance, he thought he was supposed to choose her. Follow what his heart had wanted and see where it took them. Doing that was nice, but in all actuality, it did little to bring him closure. He owed her so much more than that, he finally realized. It wasn’t a confession of love he was supposed to give her, it was something more raw than that. The edges of this vision start to blur and he feels himself being dragged away. He knows what he has to say next time he sees her. He hopes this world gives him the chance.

Blackness coats the moment again and then, there is nothingness.

The next time he opens his eyes, it doesn’t feel like he is dreaming. The awful pain he was expecting to find in his chest radiates through each of his shoulders and down past his torso. Heart monitors and machines beep around him and draw him further into reality. The pain of his injury is almost nothing compared to the hole he feels when he realizes that Betty is not really his. That none of what he’s imagined will ever be real.

He is starkly aware of the dryness of his throat and he pulls an IV clad hand up to his face, pulling the oxygen line from his nose and blinking his eyes a few times to adjust to being awake for the first time in he isn’t sure how long. The room is mostly dark except for the myriad of lights glowing from the plethora of machine’s surrounding his bed. He groans as even the slightest of movements send terrible, dull, aching pains that radiate all the way through him.

Before his eyes are fully adjusted, he hears someone else in the room. He’s barely able to make out their silhouette, but recognizes when the move closer. Suddenly, he feels a straw tap against his dry lips and he parts them, sucking gently until cool water splashes refreshingly over his tongue. He takes a long drink, letting the crisp revitalizing liquid coat his throat and mouth. When he’s had his fill, he turns his head and feels the straw and cup being moved away and hears it being set on the table. Opening his eyes, he’s expecting to find a nurse, but is startled to find Betty looking back him, concern wrought into her brow.

“Fuck- I’m dreaming again, aren’t I?” He growls, averting his eyes from her. He knows what he’s supposed to do but he thought they’d be outside of her house again. He wonders why his subconscious has put him here and given him all the physical pain of his injury this time. He has a feeling that it’s nothing compared to the insurmountable void he will feel when she inevitable rejects him.

“Shitty dream,” She motions around the hospital room, a smirk on her lips nevertheless. She takes a seat in the chair next to his bedside and draws his hand into hers. “I’m pretty sure you’re awake.” She notes, squeezing gently. “Or I’m dreaming too,” She adds surreptitiously.

“No.” He says firmly, shaking his head. “You wouldn’t be here if this were real life.” His voice sounds so sad and pathetic, but he knows it’s his own fault. After all, he was the one who drove her away. It’s almost more disappointing how they’d let their friendship fall to the wayside since getting into their respective relationships. Maybe it was because deep down, they knew they were never meant to be just friends?

She seems hurt when he says that and drops his hand briefly. It’s not the reaction he’s expecting. “I will always be here when you need me, Arch. No matter what.” Then, she’s taking his hand again and when she squeezes it reassuringly, he forces himself to look at her.

“You won’t, Betty. You can’t.” It’s his turn to retract from her. He knows he doesn’t deserve her comfort. He’s let himself indulge in her too much in the other versions of this head trip. He doesn’t get to, not this time.

“I’m here now, aren’t I?” The earnestness in her voice is almost heart breaking.

“Not really, no…” He begins, frustrated with himself and the grogginess he feels. It makes it harder to articulate what he wants to tell her. And when you can’t coherently make your point, people tend to think you’re just rambling unimportant things.

“You aren’t making any sense, Arch.” She stands up and leans over him, brushing her thumb over his cheek. “You should rest some more, we can talk later.” She adds, leaning down to kiss his forehead and then her hand is reaching out for something on his left side and the pain is seemingly chased away by overwhelming warmth in the form of a morphine drip. He’s afraid if he doesn’t say it now he’ll miss his chance but before he can fight it, he’s giving into her suggestion with heavy eyelids.

When he awakes again, she’s still there next to him. Her eyes are closed but he can tell she isn’t sleeping. She doesn’t look relaxed enough. Still, he tries not to disturb her as he shifts in the bed to get more comfortable. “You’re awake,” She says, letting him know his efforts were unsuccessful. She stirs from the makeshift ball she’d folded herself into in that seemingly uncomfortable chair and stretches her arms above her head before rising and offering him the cup of water again.

He can’t help but laugh at the words she speaks because he knows he isn’t really awake. But he’s also glad for that, because if he were, he might lose his nerve. After taking another long drink of water, he forces the confession out before the moment can fade out again. “I’m so sorry, Betty.” He says rather suddenly. Tears sting the corners of his eyes and her face softens immediately. “I should’ve apologized to you so long ago,”

“Shh, Arch you don’t have to apologize for anything-” But he stops her before she can let him off the hook.

“I do though, I really do. I ruined everything that night.” The expression she wears implores him to explain more. She clearly has no idea what he’s referencing so he does his best to clarify. “I should’ve chosen you Betty.” He wishes he could be more articulate but whatever drugs are pumping through the IV to dull the pain are also mitigating his ability to form comprehensible thoughts or sentences. “I was scared of loving you and I pushed you away and it ruined everything.” He forces himself to look at her and he can see her eyes are red with tears. “I didn’t want to hurt you so I tried to let you go.” As he confesses these things, he recalls the dreams he had about her in quick flashes. The feel of her lips on his. The way their bodies moved together so perfectly in sync as they made ardent, passionate love. The details are so real he feels almost dirty thinking about them with her right there. “But I saw how it could have been for us. And I was wrong. I was so wrong. We would’ve been deliriously happy…” He doesn’t know when she sat down on the hospital bed with him, but she’s gathered him into her arms the best that the various cords, plugs, and machines will allow. “You’re not really here.” He reminds himself, as his tears soak the soft fabric of the sweater she wears. “None of this matters.” He tries to push her away again, to retract into his pain. He deserve all of it and more.

She refuses to let go. Her soothing voice is right next to his ear. “I am really here.” She whispers, “We are in a hospital. You were attacked by a bear.” As she says the words she seems to realize they will probably do very little to convince him that any of this is in fact real. “You gave my phone number to a nurse and they called me. I came up from Riverdale three days ago. You’ve been mostly out of it since I arrived, but the doctors assure me you’re getting better and that I can take you home soon.” Her tone shifts from a matter-of-fact delivery of truth to a more hopeful one at the last words she speaks. “How are you feeling?”

He smiles remorsefully. It seems plausible. But he knows it’s not real. Betty isn’t here. She can’t be. But yet, somehow she is. She’s so close he can smell the sweet, floral scent of her shampoo. “None of that matters…” Before he can stop himself, he kisses her. It makes his chest hurt in more than one way. The pain of the deep scratches in his chest is truly nothing compared to the agony that courses through him at the abrupt way she pulls away from him. It isn’t just that she breaks the kiss, she stands up and staggers back away from the bed completely breaking the contact between them.

“Archie!” Her fingers are on her lips and she wears a shocked, confused expression. “I’m with Jughead.”

“No.” He shakes his head with false confidence. “Not here you aren’t at least. This is some hallucination I’ve been having. I think maybe this is the final piece. Don’t worry, it’ll be over soon.” He looks around the room, surprised that he doesn’t recognize anything about it. He’s spent enough time in Riverdale hospital rooms to know that he isn’t in one now. It’s certainly strange, that the hallucinations have brought him somewhere that doesn’t seem familiar, but he doesn’t think much of it.

“Arch you’re-”

“No, you don’t get it. Seriously, Betty! Nothing that happens here matters. It’s not real. That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. It’s why I can admit to you that I made a mistake. That I should’ve chosen you. That I think we’re soulmates. That I’ve been madly in love with you since the second grade. That I always fully intended on asking you to marry me when we’re eighteen. I can say all of that and I don’t have to be scared because I’ll close my eyes and when I open them again, I’ll be in some other form of this dream. There won’t be any consequences. No one gets hurt. I can kiss you, you can like it. We can be together. It’s okay if I don’t wake up because this is so much better than what it really is I….” He trails off as he studies the unreadable expression on her face.

She’s quiet for a long time and she isn’t looking at him. She’s staring intently at the floor and he thinks it’s an odd reaction. She should’ve kissed him by now. Thrown caution to the wind. She shouldn’t be sad or worried. She definitely shouldn’t be crying. They’re supposed to be happy here. That’s the whole reason he hasn’t tried to wake up.

“It’s not supposed to be like this.” He forces his eyes closed with the hopes that when he “wakes up” maybe they’ll be back in his room, wrapped up in his sheets like the last few times. Instead, he sees the same sad, worried look on her face and the same stark, cold hospital room. He closes his eyes again, maybe he just needs to keep them shut for longer, squeeze them tighter.

There’s another beat of silence as he struggles to restart this part of the ‘dream’ unsuccessfully. “Arch, it’s not a dream. Not this time.” She says, her voice laced with a mixture of sadness and regret. Nevertheless, she takes a step towards his bedside, and then another. “Please, open your eyes.” She whispers, brushing her thumb over one of his cheekbones gently.

There’s something final in her voice and all at once, he understands that she’s right. This time has felt different since he originally opened his eyes but a mixture of morphine and denial had allowed him to extend the fantasy his subconscious had created. “I don’t want to.” He confesses quietly, keeping them snuggly shut. He knows that as soon as he opens them, he has to face reality, the dream officially ends. All at once, the things he’d just said to her flash across his mind and he’s suddenly mortified and embarrassed; afraid of how he may have just ruined everything.

“Please,” Her voice is sanguine, cheering him on. “For me,” She adds, knowing full well those words will trap him into doing what she’s asked whether he wants to or not. He does open his eyes, but he can’t bring himself to look at her, and it breaks her heart a little. She doesn’t want him to feel like this. She isn’t exactly sure what it is she wants for either of them in this moment, but she yearns to make his pain go away. And her own, for that matter. Even if he’d made all those confessions under the false pretense of being in some suspended reality, she still felt the weight of them. More terrifying than that, she knew he meant every word. It was amazing how much conviction you could muster when you thought there were no consequences.

“You should-”

“Did you-”

They started and stopped at the same time, which caused him to finally cast his eyes up to hers. “You first, please.” His request was almost desperate, so she was compelled to oblige him.

“Did you mean all those things you said?” It was a very straightforward question, but a loaded one at that. She wasn’t sure what exactly she was hoping for his answer to be, but she felt like she already knew the truth.

For a beat, he just looked at her long and hard, as if deciding whether or not everything was presently too fragile to handle the truth. The prolonged silence, the way he stared so deeply into her soul, those alone were enough to answer her question. But he articulated a response anyway. “Yes, completely.”

She smiled first. A huge, genuine smile that she couldn’t stop from spreading even if she wanted to. But then, she nodded curtly, her eyes brimming with tears again. “Archie, I-” But she wasn’t sure where to begin. Suddenly, she was rising from the chair she’d occupied and in the next instant she was leaving the room. Then, as the door closed quietly behind her, he was alone.

He closed his eyes, and let the tears stream out. He wasn’t sure what he’d expected. Of course that would scare her away. It was too little, too late. Those were the words he was supposed to say all those months ago in front of her house, not now that she’d moved on and fallen in love with someone else. And not just someone else, with Jughead. His male best friend. Just like he had chosen Veronica over her. He’d made the choice to hurt her. He was supposed to live with the consequences. But now? Now he’d made another choice to hurt her again. But this time? This time he wasn’t sure their friendship could survive it.

Less than an hour had passed since she left when he heard the door handle turn and click open again. He’d been sat in quiet contemplation, wondering when she’d be back. She’d left her purse sitting on the floor so he knew she’d have to come back to get that at the very least. He considered, very briefly, pretending to be asleep so she could leave quietly and without any awkward goodbyes. But he couldn’t bring himself to do that. No, it wasn’t just that he couldn’t bring himself to, it was that he knew she deserved so much better than that from him. If this was how everything ended between them, it would have to be done right.

“Bets,” He began, as she closed the door behind her, but she put up her hand to silence him before she lost whatever nerve she’d mustered up that had brought her back in here.

“It’s not fair, what you said to me.” She said, stopping so that she was standing next to his bed with her arms folded across his chest.

“Betty I’m-” She shook her head, indicating that she wasn’t done, that it was still her turn.

“It’s not fair because if I didn’t know, I could just have been fine with the way things were. I could’ve loved him, probably forever. And even if some part of me would always just know that it wasn’t supposed to be, I could’ve just squashed it down and told myself that it didn’t matter because you were never going to-” She was crying now and she took a ragged breath to collect herself. “But now I can’t unhear what you said to me. Or unfeel the way it made me feel.” She looks almost angry at him as she says that.

He wasn’t expecting any of that and in spite of himself, it makes him feel hopeful, happy even. He reaches for her and to his surprise, she takes his hand and stepped closer. He isn’t sure what to say at first, so he just brushes his thumb over the back of her knuckles gently a few times. “Well, maybe I don’t want you to unhear it or unfeel it.” He finally manages, drawing his eyes back to meet hers. They share a thoughtful look as she takes a ragged breath.

“I’m sorry I ran out on you.” He turns her hand over in his own, his thumb brushing against the underside of her wrist now instead. “I...did something.” She said plainly, her eyes falling to look at the hypnotic patterns he traced against her wrist. Before he could ask for more details, she was offering them. “I called Jughead and told him I needed some time and space,” She cast her eyes back to his and swallowed hard, allowing the weight of her words to hit them both with full effect.

Archie swallowed the lump that had formed his his throat as she’d started her sentence. His heart was beating in his ears, thumping hard and blocking out all of the other noise in the room. “You,” He studied her in disbelief. “You broke up with him?” He asked, his voice so quiet it was as though he were afraid speaking too loudly would make it suddenly not true.

She simply nodded, fear still etched into her face until the smile that broke out across his seemed contagious and her own grin played at her lips. “I broke up with him,” Saying the words out loud made her heart clench with guilt, but she knew it was the right thing. She would never feel the same way about Jug anymore, not knowing how Archie felt. Not knowing how she would always feel about him.

“I know that doesn’t mean we automatically-” But before he could finish, her lips were against his and he was discovering his new favorite way to be proven wrong. It was better than any of the kisses they’d shared in his dream-induced mirages. They stopped kissing only when his heart monitor started screaming out beeps indicating his suddenly elevated heart rate. Sharing a laugh, she pulled back slightly. “Why don’t I go talk to a nurse about getting you out of here, hmm?” She moved to stand back upright, but he tugged her back down, kissing her again.

“I’d like that,” He smiled, finally letting go of her and watching in quiet fascination as she left the room. He wasn’t convinced this still wasn’t a dream, but he was content to ride it out as long as he could. Pulling the blanket off his lap, he moved to swing his legs of the side of the bed and stand up. He got a slight head rush and it took a moment to get his bearings, but steadied himself against the IV tower, using it for support to walk to the bathroom.

He was studying the gauze wrapped around his shoulder when he heard her come back in the room. “Good news, they’re just going to come check, clean, and redress your wound one more time and then we need to stop by the pharmacy to get some antibiotics and pain meds and then,” She poked her head around the bathroom door, “We can head out. I can rent us a hotel for the night, unless you have a place? Then we can figure out what we’re going to do in the morning.”

He looked at her through the mirror and smiled gently again, turning around and beckoning her closer. “I have a cabin, it’s probably not too far from wherever we are.” He let his hand rest on her hip and he leaned down, kissing her softly again, almost in disbelief at his ability to do that. “It’s not much, but it’ll do for the night.”

She nodded, grinning in return. “A cabin?” She cocked an eyebrow, “Sounds rustic.” She added, turning when she heard the door to his room open. “That’s probably the nurse. While she fixes you up, I’m going to head down to the cafeteria and grab us some food before they close.” Her stomach growled, as if to punctuate the necessity of the later.

By the time she was returning with sandwiches and drinks, she found him standing in front of the nurse’s station with what appeared to be discharge papers and his jacket draped over his arm. Vegas, who’d been given refuge in one of the on call rooms, was also sat by his feet ready to go. “All set?” She asked, to which he nodded and placed his hand on the small of her back, guiding her back towards the elevator’s she’d just stepped out of.

The sun was already setting by the time they got into her car and he knew that he didn’t want to deal with trying to get out to the cabin in the dark with her in tow so he offered to drive since he knew the area better and could get them there a little faster. Despite having been almost mortally wounded by an actual bear, she’d agreed to the idea and so he’d settled behind the driver’s seat and they’d headed out to the woods. An uneasy feeling loomed over them as they drove into the setting sun, but leaving civilization behind them in the rearview mirror felt oddly symbolic.

It took less than twenty minutes to get to the clearing where he knew they could park her car and make a short hike to the cabin. There was still a considerable amount of light left, but he didn’t want to waste any time. She urged him to take it easy as he, again, had just survived a bear attack, but they made it to the cabin in good time regardless. “It’s quaint,” She observed non-judgmentally, staring around the small, humble space as he locked the door behind them. It was no Ritz Carlton, but it would do.

Clean sheets adorned the bed, someone must’ve come back and cleaned up after him when he’d gone to the hospital. He sat down on them, watching as Betty took out the food she’d gotten at the hospital. It wasn’t until she was handing him the sandwich and bag of chips that he realized how truly ravenous he was. Not long after, she sat down next to him and they both ate in relative silence. This still didn’t feel entirely real.

When she was full, she offered him the rest of her sandwich and he took it appreciatively, finishing it in one bite before moving to clean up after them. As he gets a fire going, he is caught off guard by the question she asks from across the room. “In your dreams, did we…” She raises her eyebrows with suggestive emphasis even though he isn’t looking at her.

Turning around and walking back towards her, he can’t stop the grin that spreads across his face. “Yes, that we did.” He also couldn’t stop the slight blush that had come to tint his cheeks with that admission.

“And?” She gave him an expectant look.

“And...it was amazing. Mind blowing.” He couldn’t hide the pure happiness that spread across his features as he recalled their most intimate of encounters, or rather, the ones he’s imagined. His tongue darts out to wet his lips, and he bites down on his bottom one, recalling exactly how it felt.

“Show me,” She isn’t sure if it’s a request or a challenge, but she reaches for his hand, inviting him closer, suddenly envious of this insider information he has.

“We don’t have to…” He says quietly, but he’s already pulling her towards him so she’s flush against his chest and upright.

“I want to,” She admits, almost abashedly. That’s all he needs to hear before he loses himself in her. His lips capture hers with a familiarity they shouldn’t have yet. Maybe those dreams were actually just practice for this.

The real thing is so much better than any dream or hallucination. As they shed every piece of clothing that separates them from one another, it’s done with painstaking love and care, as if neither of them are sure this will happen again so they’ll both bother taking their time to remember every detail as it happens. Her eyes glance over his bandaged shoulder with a moment of hesitation, “Maybe you should rest-” But his lips are crushing hers and along with that, any argument she may put up for him needing to save his energy.

“I could be dying and I’d have the strength for this,” He promises against her neck lasciviously. It’s with that breathy confession that she loses any willpower she has left. She’s lost to her desires, and to his.

She isn’t sure how much time has passed when she finds salacious release for the third time since they started their passionate foray, but she knows she’s absolutely spent and he must be too as she collapses against his chest shortly thereafter. A million thoughts are swirling through her mind now and she isn’t sure where to begin.

She starts first with, “I love you, Arch.”

He smiles, pressing a kiss between her breasts. “I love you, too.”

The fire crackles behind them and she snuggles herself closer against his side, pressing a lazy kiss to his shoulder. “We could stay here,” She whispers the words into existence. “Me, you, Vegas…”

“Betty…” He doesn’t want to ruin this beautiful experience by telling her that it’s not realistic, instead he uses his arm to pull her closer. “We don’t have to decide anything tonight, let’s just enjoy-”

“I’m serious, Arch.” She props herself up on his chest and stares at him plainly, as if she’s already considered all the options and her mind’s been made up. “There’s nothing for me in Riverdale. My mom is…” She shrugs, not bothering to finish. “There just isn’t anything there for me, okay? You can do whatever you want, but I’m not going back.”

She speaks with such self-assurance that he can’t argue. These aren’t the words of some delusional teenage girl who wants to live in a fantasy world. They’re the ones of a person who has been looking for a way out for far too long and now that she’d seen one? She couldn’t go back even if she wanted to.

He studies her face, shadows casting against it as the firelight dances. “Okay,” He nods, tilting her chin up so his lips are hovering over hers. “We won’t go back.” His words are more like a pledge than anything else. Then, he voices one final promise, his eyes finding hers again, “I love you, more than anything. That will never change.”

“More than anything. Forever.” She agrees, stealing one more kiss from his lips before snuggling against his chest desirously, as a thick haze of sleep finally came for them both.

#barchie #barchie fanfiction #fanfic #prompts filled #long oneshot #ratedt #canon divergence #s3 #blughead #angst #hurtcomfort #fluff #smut #pining #t:doors of perception #a:barchied #a:barchiefanfiction

[barchie-myforever]

Where ever we go (you are my home)

Rating:

Teen And Up Audiences

Archive Warning:

Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Category:

F/M

Fandom:

Riverdale (2017)

Relationship:

Archie Andrews/Betty Cooper

Characters:

Archie Andrews, Betty Cooper, Jughead Jones, Original Characters

Additional Tags:

Canon Divergent, Angst, Recovering addiction, Past Drug Use, bughead start but not bughead friendly, Archie is in pain tm, Miscommunication, Pining, Fluff

Language:

English

Stats:

Published:2019-01-01 Updated:2019-01-01 Words:5098 Chapters:1/?

Link; https://archiveofourown.org/works/17256569/chapters/40580420

@barchiefanfiction

#barchie #my writing #fanfic #barchie fanfiction #canon divergence #angst #blughead #not blughead friendly #not j*ighead friendlyish #chapter 1 #multific

[barchiefanfiction]

Archie and Betty through the years (from teenagers to middle-age?) being each other's support systems when things get a little tough in their relationships with Veronica and Jug.

Anchor 

by keiraknighted

AO3 // ff.net

“Ronnie, you have to talk her out of it,” Archie begs forthe third time that day. Veronica slides her deep purple dress on and turnsaround, waiting for Archie to zip her up. A bridesmaid dress, for all intentsand purposes. Archie drags the zip up and Veronica turns around, placing herhands on his shoulders.

“Like I said, Archiekins,” she says. “If you think it’s sucha bad idea, then you should talk themout of it.”

“Don’t you think it’s a bad idea?”

Veronica laughs. “Of course I do. But it’s their life.”

“So as Betty’s best friend—” Archie starts, until Veronicacuts him off.

“You’re Betty’sbest friend, remember? And Jughead’s,” she reminds him. Archie looks pained. Veronicastraightens his tie. “You know they won’t change their minds now. They’ve beenplanning this ever since Betty became the so-called serpent queen,” she rollsher eyes.

“But what if they’re making a huge mistake?” Archie presses.And he’d try to convince them himself he would, it’s just—to talk to Betty outof it would feel like betraying Jughead, and to talk Jughead out of it wouldfeel like betraying Betty. And to try and talk to them together is just alosing battle.

Veronica shrugs. “It’s only marriage. And no one knowsbetter than the four of us how well that canlast.”

Archie still has his doubts. But to Veronica, it’s caseclosed. She puts her heels on and heads for the hotel room door.

“Come on,” she says, tilting her head. “The bride and groomare waiting for us.”

  At a chapel in Vegas, two weeks after graduation, Betty andJughead tie the knot, with Veronica and Archie as their witnesses.

Alice had forbidden it, and FP had warned against it. Thathad only made Betty want to do it more. She’s queasy as she walks down theaisle in a dress she bought months ago, not exactly a wedding dress, but it’swhite. Her serpent tattoo is fresh on her hip.

She gets through the vows, and Jughead through his, and thefour of them head to the hotel bar. They’re only eighteen, but they get servedanyway.

Four drinks in, Betty is on top of the world. Surrounded byher friends, married to the love of her life. She’s pretty sure things couldn’tget more perfect.

Six drinks in, she’s outside, desperate for fresh air,feeling claustrophobic, her white dress too tight. Archie’s hand grazes herback.

“Hey,” he says softly. Her head spins. “Are you okay?”

Betty nods. “Too much to drink.” A light breeze tousles herhair, and she closes her eyes, grateful for the coolness of the wind on herface. Archie stays beside her.

“Perhaps it’s time for bed,” Archie suggests. “Mrs Jones,”he adds. A joke probably, but she doesn’t laugh.

“Did I make a mistake?” she whispers, so softly she’s sureArchie hasn’t heard, especially since he doesn’t respond right away.

He takes a deep breath. “Of course not,” he finally replies.“You and Jughead were bound to get married eventually. What difference does itmake if it’s now or in a few years?”

Betty nods. She leans against him, and he wraps his armsaround her.

“Let’s get you to bed,” he says.

The last thing she remembers is him pressing a kiss to herforehead before she drifts off to sleep.

  Moving to New York was always the plan. Archie never thoughthe’d be leaving Betty and Jughead behind in Riverdale. But Jughead says heneeds to get things sorted with the Serpents before he leaves, and Betty, ashis wife, is staying to support him. They both swear they’ll join him andVeronica in New York next year.

Archie loves living in New York, but the thing is, it’sfreaking expensive. He manages to get a job waiting tables, but he kind ofsucks at it, so the tips aren’t great. Veronica, on the other hand, is alreadya successful business owner, and she’s even thinking about turning Pop’s into achain. She’s currently studying business while Archie studies music on ascholarship.

It’s not exactly how imagined it. He lives in a dorm with aroommate he doesn’t particularly like, instead of the nice apartment hepictured sharing with Veronica or Jughead. Veronica refuses to spend any timein his dorm, and he’s always travelling back and forth across the city to seeher. Her apartment is nothing fancy, but the fact that she can afford to livein it alone is impressive enough.

“We should go travelling in the summer,” Veronica saysdreamily, playing with Archie’s hair as they lay in her bed on a Saturdaymorning. “Europe, maybe. Or Australia.”

“I don’t think that’s going to be possible, Ronnie,” Archiesighs. He’d love to give her everything she wants, honestly. But he doesn’thave the money.

Veronica pouts. “Why not? Haven’t you always wanted to go toParis?”

“I’d love to see it with you,” Archie says. “But I’llprobably be working for my dad over the summer.”

“Does he really need you?” Veronica complains.

Archie tries not to sigh again. She just doesn’t get it. “Idon’t know, Ronnie. But I need the money. New York is expensive.”

“Oh,” Veronica says, understanding finally dawning. “I’llpay for your flights.”

Archie groans. He pulls away from the hand twirling in hishair and sits up. “I don’t want you to do that.”

“Archiekins, come on,” Veronica coos, sitting up beside him.“It’s just money.”

Archie tries not to be frustrated with her, but he can’thelp it. “Of course it is, to you,” he huffs. He throws himself out of bed andgets dressed.

“Don’t be such a proud man,” Veronica snaps. “Does it reallybother you that I make more money than you? That I’m more successful than you?”

Her words sting. “Of course not,” Archie says. “I’m proud ofeverything you’ve done. But I don’t want to have to rely on you to pay forthings for me. If you want to go to Europe, that’s fine. But I can’t affordit.”

He thinks he’s explained himself well, that she’llunderstand. But she gives him a pained looks and says, “That’s ridiculous,Archie. I’m happy to pay.”

Archie shakes his head. “Forget it,” he says. “I’ll see youlater.”

Veronica doesn’t bother trying to stop him as he leaves.

On the train home, he calls Betty.

“Hey,” she says brightly. Archie can feel some of thetension drain out of him at the sound of her voice.

“Hey,” Archie replies. “What’s up?”

“I’m just doing the dishes, nothing interesting,” Bettylaughs. “What’s up with you?”

“Veronica and I kind of had a fight,” he says.

“Oh, what happened?”

“She wants to go to Europe this summer and I told her Ican’t afford it. She said she’d pay but…” he trails off. Maybe he’s being dumb.Maybe Betty will tell him he’s being an idiot and he should take a free trip toEurope from his girlfriend.

“Of course she did,” Betty snorts. “I love V, but she reallyhas no clue what it’s like to not have any money.”

“So you don’t think I’m being stupid?”

“I completely get it, Archie. I’m the same, I don’t want tofeel like I owe someone something, even if it’s someone I’m in a relationshipwith. You want to stand on your own two feet. It’s perfectly understandable.”

Archie breathes a sigh of relief. Someone gets it. Someonegets him. “Thanks, Betty. You always know exactly what to say.”

“Anytime, Arch.” 

Betty is pretty sure she shouldn’t be feeling this anxiousright now. Archie is home for the summer and he’s coming over in an hour fordinner at the little unit Betty and Jughead have been renting this past year.She can’t wait to see him. She’s missed him a lot this past year. They spoke onthe phone a lot, and he came home a few times, but it’s not the same as seeinghim every day.

She’s been working for her mom all year at the Register,while Jughead works on his novel and leads the Serpents, doing odd jobs forpeople or writing a story for the Register every now and again for some extracash. But it’s not what she wants to do anymore. She’s ready to get out ofRiverdale, go to college, see the world. She keeps seeing Veronica’s Instagramposts, in a bikini in Greece, or on top of the Eiffel Tower, and she can’t helpbut feel jealous.

She’s got a million things she wants to do in her life, andthe truth is, now she doesn’t know if she’ll ever get to do them.

Her hands shake as she opens the little box containing thepregnancy test. The cashier had congratulated her when she bought it. Betty hadsmiled like she was excited, when in fact she just feels sick. Sitting on thetoilet, she reads the instructions, and follows them to the letter. Now all shecan do is wait.

Her stomach churns. This could be a good thing, right? It should be a good thing. She’s married tothe man she loves, possibly pregnant with his baby. This isn’t some teenpregnancy like her mom or Polly. This is different.

Except she knows she’s not ready. Kids are for after she’sfinished college, after she’s travelled, after she’s had a career and a life.Not now. Jughead will probably bethrilled. She’s beginning to suspect he’s not that interested in collegeanyway, and would rather stay here and lead the Serpents. And a baby would makehim so happy.

She watches the test, praying for a negative. Her prayersaren’t answered.

She decides not to tell Jughead yet. It can wait until afterdinner. She throws the test in the trash and covers it with tissues, then getsto making dinner. She usually cooks, Jughead isn’t that great at it. He alwayssays he’ll do the washing up, but he rarely gets around to it. There’s alwayssome gang issue he has to resolve. Betty had been excited to be part of theSerpents at first, but she’s already bored of it, skipping most of theirmeetings in favour of reading a book on the couch.

The doorbell rings just as Betty is dishing up the chicken.Jughead gets it, and Betty listens as he greets Archie, and then the two ofthem join her in the kitchen. She turns around, and before she can even sayhello, Archie is pulling her into a hug. She laughs, squeezing him tightlyback, forgetting for a moment the worries on her mind. But then he pulls awayand Betty glances at Jughead and the churning in her gut returns.

“I’m so glad you’re home,” Betty tells Archie. “Dinner’sready, go sit down and I’ll bring it to you.”

Archie obeys, grinning, and Jughead follows, leaving Bettyto bring the plates out.

If either of the guys notice that Betty isn’t quite herself,they don’t say anything. Betty is pretty quiet the whole time, letting Jugheadand Archie keep the conversation. It’s not that she doesn’t want to join in,it’s just that she can’t seem to take her mind off the revelation she’dreceived in the bathroom earlier.

They discuss Archie’s college life, the Serpents, Betty’sjob, and Veronica being in Europe. Archie swears he isn’t jealous, and thathe’s not worried about Veronica hanging around those hot European guys.

“She can flirt as much as she likes,” Archie shrugs. “I knowshe’d never cheat on me.”

It’s at that moment Jughead gets a message, and he’s alreadystanding up before Betty can ask who it’s from.

“Sorry guys, gotta run,” he says. “Emergency Serpentbusiness.”

“Seriously, Jug?” Betty pleads. “Can’t it wait? We have aguest.”

“No, one of the new recruits thought it would be a greatidea to graffiti one of the Ghoulies’ cars, so I have to go and deal with that.Besides, it’s just Archie.”

“Surely Toni, or Sweet Pea—”

“I’m the Serpent king, Betty,” Jughead huffs. “It’s my job.”

“Fine,” Betty mutters. Jughead gives her a kiss on the headbefore running out the door. Betty looks to Archie, who looks a littleembarrassed at having witnessed the argument, pushing his peas around hisplate. “Sorry about that,” Betty says.

Archie looks up. “You don’t have to be sorry,” he assuresher. Betty watches him gingerly put a pea in his mouth before she snorts withlaughter.

“I forgot you hate peas,” she says. Archie laughs. “Youdon’t have to eat them. Here.” She stands up and takes his plate, stacking iton top of hers and Jughead’s, then takes them to the kitchen.

“You want me to wash up?” Archie calls after her.

“It’s okay,” Betty says. “I’ll do it after you go.” She putsthe plates in the sink. She stands there a moment, trying to gather herselfbefore she goes back out to face Archie. She won’t enjoy is company properly ifshe keeps dwelling on her pregnancy.

She doesn’t hear Archie enter the room, but then he’s besideher, his hand on her shoulder. “Hey,” he says softly. “Is everything okay?”

Betty squeezes her eyes shut, trying to will the tears shecan feel forming to retract back into her tear ducts. But then they’re spillingout, and she lets out a sob, shaking her head. Why did he have to ask? Shecould have held it together if he hadn’t asked.

He immediately wraps his arms around her, pulling heragainst him tightly. Her shoulders shake as she cries into his chest, unable tostop now that she’s started. He rubs her back, and he lets her cry until shepulls away, wiping her eyes.

“You want to talk about it?” he asks, eyes full of concern.

She isn’t planning on telling him, but somehow it just slipsout. “I’m pregnant.”

He stares at her, not sure what to say. Betty keeps talkingso he doesn’t have to say anything.

“I haven’t told Jughead yet. I just found out before you gothere and I—” she sobs again. “I should be happy. But it probably means I won’tget to go to college next year, or join you in New York.”

Archie pulls her into his arms again. “Hey, hey,” he sayssoothingly. “You have other options. And whatever you choose, I promise I’ll bethere for you. And maybe you can still go to college.”

Betty nods, and somehow, she’s comforted, even though shedoesn’t really believe what he’s saying. She could never afford a baby and college. And if she gives the babyup, or gets an abortion, Jughead will hate her forever.

But for now, she lets Archie let her believe everything isgoing to be okay.

  Archie has had the ring for a while now. He’s been carryingit around in his pocket, waiting for the right time.

But he and Veronica are both finished college now, and hehas a bit of money saved, despite buying the ring. Veronica now owns a Pop’sand speak easy in three locations, and Archie is getting gigs almost everyweekend, plus his day job selling furniture.

They’re in Riverdale for the weekend, for theirgoddaughter’s fifth birthday. Archie can hardly believe little Matilda Jones isready for school already. Betty and Jughead throw a little party for her atAlice’s house, and afterwards, Archie and Veronica take a walk along SweetwaterRiver.

And suddenly Archie can’t think of a better time or place todo it. In the town they fell in love, where Archie hopes the can raise childrenand grow old together someday.

“They looked so happy. I’m going to be honest, I didn’tthink Betty and Jughead would even last this long,” Veronica is saying. “I’mhappy to be proven wrong—” she cuts herself off when she sees Archie loweringhimself to the ground on one knee. “What are you doing?” she asks, eyes wide.

“Ronnie,” Archie says, pulling the ring box out of hispocket. “From the moment I saw you, I knew I wanted to spend the rest of mylife with you. We’ve had our share of ups and downs, but there is no one I’drather have by my side than you. Will you do me the honour of becoming mywife?”

Veronica stares at him. She stares so long, and without asmile, that Archie begins to feel anxious.

“Ronnie?” he prompts, nervous. He swallows.

“Archie…” she starts, her voice soft and sympathetic.Archie’s stomach sinks. He stands up, trying not to let his eyes betray thehurt he feels. “I’m sorry,” Veronica continues. “I just… I’m not ready to getmarried yet. I don’t want to break up, and I still love you… but marriage?” she balks. “I… can’t give youthat kind of commitment.”

Archie nods, clenching his jaw. “I get it,” he says, thoughhe’s not quite sure he does. But what else can he say? He doesn’t want to breakup either. But he really wants to get married one day. And what if Veronicanever gets there? He doesn’t voice his thoughts out loud though.

“I’m really sorry, Archiekins. We should have talked aboutthis, I should have realised you would want to propose soon.”

“Ronnie, it’s okay. I’m just… I just need a minute.”

Veronica nods. “Should we go back to your dad’s?”

“Yeah,” Archie says. “Yeah.”

He goes up to his old room when he gets back, and Veronicastays downstairs with Fred to give Archie some alone time. He shuts the doorbehind him, and when he looks up, his eyes lock with Betty’s through thewindow. She seems surprised to see him, but she smiles and waves. Archie wavesback, but he can’t bring himself to return the smile.

Betty reaches for her phone, and moments later Archie gets atext.

Everything okay?

Archie looks up. He shakes his head. Betty turns back to herphone, and then his phone is ringing, Betty’s name on the screen. He smiles tohimself as he answers.

“What’s wrong?” Betty asks immediately.

“It’s too embarrassing,” Archie sighs.

“You can tell me anything.”

“I proposed to Veronica and she said no.”

Betty winces. “Ouch.”

“I’m such an idiot.”

“Don’t say that,” Betty scolds. “She’s the idiot if shedoesn’t want to marry you. Any girl would be lucky to have you as a husband.”Archie snorts. “I’m being serious!”

“So you’d marry me if you didn’t already have a husband?”

“You know I would.” Betty chews her lip. “She’ll change hermind.”

Archie nods. He hopes Betty is right.

“Love you,” she says.

“Love you too, Betty.”

  Betty is pregnant again. This time, it’s planned. Eightmonths ago, it had seemed like a great idea. Matilda wanted a sibling, Bettyand Jughead were both ready for another child. Jughead had just finished hisnovel and was sending it off to publishers. The Serpents had been drama freefor a year.

But Jughead had received nothing but a string of rejectionletters. It hit him hard. And at first, he was just having a drink or two tolet off some steam. But now…

Well, it’s 2am and Betty hasn’t seen him in hours. And sheknows there wasn’t a Serpent meeting because Cheryl has been posting picturesof her date night with Toni on her Instagram story. Betty hasn’t been a part ofthe Serpents since she gave birth to Matilda.

Betty can’t help but worry. He’s been drinking more andmore, and it’s getting harder and harder to hide from Matilda. She was askingfor her dad when Betty tucked her in earlier, and it made Betty’s heart ache.

There’s a crash at the front door, and Betty sits boltupright in bed. The front door slams, and she can hear Jughead banging around,making no effort to be quiet. She winces when he kicks open the bedroom doorand flicks the light on.

“Would you be quiet?” Betty hisses. “Your daughter isasleep.”

“I’m going to wake her up,” Jughead says, turning around.

“Don’t you dare!” Betty snaps. “I don’t want her to see youlike this.”

Jughead stops in the doorway, turning just his head to lookat Betty. He’s wearing a cold sneer on his face. “Like what?”

“You know what.”

“Like what, Betty!” he growls.

Betty flinches. She hates him like this. He never getsviolet, but he gets mean. “Drunk,” she snaps. “You’re awful when you’re drunk.”

“Oh, I’m awful, am I? Well excuse me for trying to have agood time now and again.”

“Now and again?” Betty repeats, incredulous. “You’ve beenout late drinking every night for the past two weeks! Do I need to remind youthat you have a daughter and a pregnant wife at home waiting for you?”

Even in his drunken state, Jughead has the decency to looksheepish at that.

“You have to stop, Jug,” Betty pleads. “Don’t become thefather you hated when you were growing up.”

Those words seem to trigger something inside him. Hesoftens, walks towards her with apologetic eyes.

“I’m sorry,” he whispers, kneeling on the ground beside thebed. He puts his hand on Betty’s swollen stomach. “I’ll quit, I promise.” Hekisses Betty’s stomach. Then he stands up and crawls into bed beside her, noteven bothering to undress. Within minutes, he’s snoring beside her.

She picks up her phone and continues her conversation withArchie.

He’s home. Thanks for keeping me sane. Xx

  Archie wants to think he’s crazy, paranoid. But he’s beensuspecting something for a while now, and every time Veronica tells him she’sworking late, or she’s out with friends, he can’t shake the feeling that she’slying to him. That there’s someone else.

He hasn’t said anything, because he keeps convincing himselfhe’s wrong. It’s just his imagination. He doesn’t want her to think he doesn’ttrust her. And even if it’s true… well, he’s not sure he’s ready to face thatyet.

But she’s not here again, and he’s lonely, he’s been lonelyfor months, so he picks up the phone and calls Betty. He doesn’t want to say itout loud, but he can’t bear the thoughts inside his own head anymore. And Bettywill talk him down, reassure him that everything is fine. Veronica can’tpossibly be cheating on him.

“What’s up, Arch?” she answers.

He hesitates. He doesn’t want to burden her with hisproblems if she’s having problems of her own.

“How’s—how’s Jughead?”

“He’s good,” Betty says. “It’s been two months since hislast relapse, and he started writing again. Something new.”

“That’s great, Betty. And the girls?”

“They’re great too,” Betty says. Her voice always growsfonder when she talks about her daughters. She loves them so much.

“I’m glad.”

“Arch?” Betty says, and she sounds a little concerned now. “Iseverything okay?”

Archie shakes his head, though Betty can’t see him. “I think—Ithink Veronica might be cheating on me.”

Betty doesn’t say anything.

“I’m just being crazy, right?” Archie asks.

“I don’t know, Arch,” Betty whispers. Not what Archie wasexpecting. “I mean, if you feel like something’s wrong… maybe something iswrong. Even if the thing that’s wrong isn’t that she’s cheating. But you shouldtalk to her about it.”

“You think?”

“Yeah, I mean… don’t like, accuse her of cheating. But lether know you’re unhappy. That you feel like something is off.”

Archie swallows. “I really thought you’d tell me I was beingparanoid.”

“Trust your instincts, Arch. They’re usually pretty good.And you know I’m always on your side, right?”

“I know.”

The talk ends in a fight. And the fight ends in Veronicaadmitting it. She’s cheating on him. And even though Archie has suspected itfor months now, the truth kills him.

He feels like a complete fool. He should have ended it whenshe said she didn’t want to marry him.

Veronica apologises over and over, tears in her eyes.

“I never meant for it to happen. I never meant to hurt you,”she tells him.

“But you did anyway,” Archie says bitterly.

She doesn’t stop him when he leaves.

  Betty loves having Archie back in Riverdale, though shehates the circumstances that brought him back. He seems sad about Veronica, buthe also seems happier in some ways too. She knows he always saw himself comingback here someday.

She sees him a lot now, and he loves looking after Matildaand Alison so that she can have a bit of a break from her ten-year-old and her five-year-old.She loves them to bits, but to say they’re a handful is an understatement.

The four of them, Betty, Archie, Matilda, and Alison, are ontheir way back from a trip to the movies. Jughead had been supposed to come,but last-minute Serpent issues had arisen. Betty has long since stopped caringabout anything Serpent related.

They’d had to drive a couple hours, to the closest cinemathey have these days. It’s way past the girls’ bed time, and they’ve bothfallen asleep in the back seat. Betty and Archie talk quietly in the front, soas not to wake them.

When Archie drops them back at Betty and Jughead’s, Jughead stillisn’t home. Betty’s stomach sinks. She tries not to think the worst. Shecarries Alison to bed, while Archie carries Matilda.

“Thanks, Arch,” Betty whispers.

“I’ll see you… tomorrow, probably,” Archie laughs. Heglances to the door. “Do you want me to stay until Jughead gets home?”

Betty hesitates. She shakes her head, even though she doeswant him to stay a little bit. But if Jughead has fallen off the wagon again,it’s probably best if she deals with it alone. Archie nods, and Betty gives hima goodbye hug. It’s at that moment that Jughead chooses to make an appearance.

The front door swings open, and Betty can already smell thathe’s been drinking. She tenses, and Archie is stiff beside her.

“What are you doing here?” Jughead slurs, glaring at Archie.

“Just dropping your wife home.”

“You’ve been spending an awful lot of time with my wifelately.”

“Jughead, stop it,” Betty snaps. “Go and take a shower. Don’twake the girls.”

“Fuck off, Betty,” Jughead snarls. “Don’t tell me what todo.”

Betty flinches, and she can feel Archie get his hackles up.

“And you can fuck off too, Archie,” Jughead adds.

“I’m not leaving her with you like this.”

“Get out of my house, Archie!” Jughead yells. He goes toshove Archie, but Archie doesn’t back down, and Jughead stumbles back.

“Betty,” Archie says. “You and the girls should stay with metonight.”

“That might be best,” Betty agrees. She goes to move towardsthe girls’ bedroom, and Jughead grabs her by the arm, squeezing tightly,pressing bruises into her upper arm.

“No,” he says.

“Jug,” she says. “Let me go. You’re hurting me.”

“Let her go, Jughead.”

Jughead glares at Archie. He takes a swing, stumbling overhis own feet, hitting Archie, and elbowing Betty in the face in the process.

“Fuck!” he yells, shaking out his hand. Betty clutches herface. “Betty,” Jughead says. “I didn’t mean to hit you. I’m sorry.” He soundsweak and pathetic now. Tears form in his eyes, and Betty can feel herselfcrying as well. She stares at him in shock. He hadn’t meant to hit her, sheknows that. But she can’t trust that we won’t accidentally do something worseone day. Like hit one of the girls.

She knows this is it. With one glance at Archie, he knows ittoo.

“Are you okay?” Archie asks. Betty nods. “Get the girls.”Betty nods again, hurrying to the bedroom. She wakes them quickly, and theyfollow her sleepily out of the house and to Archie’s car.

“Betty, wait!” Jughead calls after them. “I’m sorry. I swearit won’t happen again.”

Archie slides into the driver’s seat.

“Betty—”

“Just drive, Archie,” she says, swallowing her tears.

  She’s awake early, in her old bedroom at her mom’s house.Archie had dropped her off last night, and she’d cried into her mom’s armsuntil three in the morning.

She gets up, glancing out the window to see that Archie isawake too. She gestures for him to meet her outside.

They stroll along the street, no destination in mind.

“Are you going to go back to him?” Archie asks.

Betty shakes her head. “I’ve tried too many times, Arch. Ifhe can sober up, I’ll let him see the girls. But he and I are done.”

“I’m sorry.”

Betty shrugs. “I think it’s been coming for a long time.”

“Did you ever think this is where we’d be at thirty? Back inRiverdale, living with our parents?” Archie snorts.

“God,” Betty laughs. “Not at all. I guess life doesn’talways work out like you planned.”

“It’s not all bad though,” Archie muses. “At least I’vestill got my best friend.”

Betty smiles. “Yeah. Thank you, Arch.”

“What for?”

“Being my anchor. No matter what I’ve been through, you’realways there to ground me.”

Archie grins. “Back at you.”

He slips his hand into hers and gives it a squeeze.

“Pop’s?” Betty suggests.

“I thought you’d never ask.”

#barchie #barchie fanfiction #fanfic #prompts filled #ratedt #future #canon divergence #blughead #verarchie #short onehot #angst #hurtcomfort #friendship #t:anchor #a:barchiefanfiction #a:keiraknighted #Anonymous

[barchiefanfiction]

i’ll try not to stare by brinaspellmans

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Riverdale (TV 2017), Archie Comics Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Betty Cooper/Jughead Jones, Archie Andrews/Betty Cooper, Archie Andrews/Veronica Lodge Characters: Betty Cooper, Jughead Jones, Archie Andrews, Veronica Lodge Additional Tags: Feelings Realization, Fluff and Angst, 30 Day OTP Challenge, Sad Archie Andrews, Jealousy, Implied/Referenced Sex Series: Part 2 of 30 Day OTP Challenge: Barchie Summary:

Archie and Betty have been best friends since preschool, but something's changed.

Read on AO3

#barchie #barchie fanfiction #fanfic #drabble #ratedt #canon compliant #jealousy #blughead #verarchie #s1 #t:i'll try not to stare #a:brinaspellmans

[barchiefanfiction]

(i like me better) when i’m with you

by kinselllas

Sometimes, dating Betty is so easy, Archie lets himself pretend it’s real.

Post 2x08

prompt:  fake dating fic where they have to pretend to be together for some weird reason 

“This isn’t going to work.”

Betty reaches up to push a lock of his hair back, fingers gentle.

“Yes,” she meets his gaze, “It is.”

Archie swallows, giving her a quick nod in return. They face the double doors of the school and he sucks in a breath, can feel Betty tense against his shoulder. Her hand searches next to him, finding his fingers and gripping tightly. Archie squeezes back.

“Ready?” He asks, barely a whisper.

“Ready.”

Okay, let’s rewind—

Archie is sitting in the library. This is important because Archie is hardly ever in the library. He’d stumbled his way in there a few times, hands up Veronica’s skirt, toying with her buttons. But he’s never been in the library for its intended purpose, which is to- well, study.

But here he is.

Betty manifests at his work table, seemingly out of nowhere, and gives him a soft nudge.

See, Archie and Veronica have been broken up for almost three weeks now, Betty and Jughead for the same, minus an hour or two. Archie won’t admit that he’s kind of…okay with it. He finds new ways to keep busy, although he definitely finds himself spending much more time alone. So alone that when Betty shows up next to him, he nearly jumps in his skin.

“How’s it going?” She asks, and Archie can almost feel how hard she’s trying to be casual.

He notes that she’s been wearing her hair down lately, after everything with the Black Hood and their respective break-ups, Archie hasn’t seen much of Betty. She’s been a blur in the hallway, moving from one activity to the next.

“Not bad,” he shrugs gently, “You?”

Betty shrugs back, but her gaze drops to the table. She opens her mouth to speak, but seems to be contemplating her words. Archie raises his eyebrows before she finally responds.

“I want Jughead back.”

Archie mumbles an “Of course you do” under his breath and pretends to focus on the textbook in front of him. Betty reads his response and furrows her brow in confusion.

“I mean,” she offers, eyeing his profile, “Don’t you want Veronica back?”

“Maybe,” Archie sighs, he honestly hadn’t given it much thought. “I guess.”

Betty’s eyes light up at the answer, leaning in closer.

“Great!” she shrieks, “I have a plan.”

Archie can’t exactly argue with her, since he knows there is absolutely nothing that would drive Jughead and Veronica more insane than seeing Archie and Betty dating, confirming their own buried insecurities and pushing them to admit their regrets. Archie found it all to be a little immature, but he also knew Betty’s most ridiculous plans only further proved how much the cause meant to her.

“Favorite color?” She prompts.

“Pastel pink,” he fires back.

“Favorite food?”

Archie smirks, “Pop’s fries.”

Betty smacks his shoulder lightly, a scolding glare.

“Well, they are.”

Archie would quiz her on every fun fact about him, but Betty already knows. It amazes him how easy it is to fall into this “fake” relationship, since they’ve been friends for as long as Archie can remember. He finds that he has an even harder time saying “no” to Betty than he did with Veronica, the pent up loyalty that’s been accumulating over the years.

“And yours is mac and cheese,” she gives him a quick eye roll, “which I know because I’ve been making it for you since we were eight.”

Archie feels his chest swell with a certain fondness.

“Yeah,” he nods, “You have.”

—Back to where we started

Archie and Betty walk hand in hand down the hallway, ignoring the obvious gasps and whispers from the surrounding crowds. For most, it’s not a huge surprise. But Archie does note Veronica’s wide eyes, shock playing over her features. It takes nearly a minute before she’s dragging him into an empty classroom.

“So you and Betty are-“

“Yeah,” he finishes, “We are.”

Veronica swallows, and he sees something flicker in her eyes, a knowing look that forces a sharp pang in his chest. He had played so many scenarios through his head, but it wasn’t the same as seeing her pain first hand.

“Well, I think that’s great,” she nods, but her voice cracks.

Archie wants to reach out, pull her close and hold her the way he had so many times before. But when his hand reaches out, it gets lost in the distance, falling weakly at his side.

He whispers, “Veronica—“

She’s already blinked the tears away, disappearing from the room.

Archie slides into the seat next to Betty’s at lunch, because he genuinely feels like he’s supposed to, and she doesn’t hesitate pressing a quick kiss to his cheek. He flickers his gaze over her face, how easy and normal it is for her to pretend they’re dating.

“I grabbed you an extra snickerdoodle,” he forces, hating how sappy he sounds.

When he holds the cookie up, Betty leans forward and snags a bite, right out of his hand. Archie can’t even bite back his laugh before it’s already out, and he resists the urge to lean toward her and kiss her, an automatic response.

Cheryl’s tray clatters on the table and she rolls her eyes.

“You two are even more nauseating than I could have imagined.”

For the record, Jughead’s reaction had gone entirely undocumented until the night of Cheryl’s party. Archie had assumed he was so caught up in Serpent business he’d disregarded Betty entirely. It actually provided him a big sigh of relief that he wouldn’t have to talk through dating his best friend’s ex girlfriend- who is also his best friend.

Betty is absolutely certain that Jughead won’t be at Cheryl’s party, since she’s on his long list of least favorite people. Veronica still recoils a little every time she sees them, but she also seems more accepting than before. She didn’t love him, after all.

When Jughead and the Serpents pull up to Thornhill, Betty’s nervous energy radiates off of her body and everything she touches. Archie’s first instinct is to reach for her and Betty shrugs him away, following Jughead out to the backyard.

Archie lingers by the screen door, watching their heated discussion. Jughead’s arms are flailing, while Betty flinches gently. He feels his fists clench at his sides and grounds himself to stop from running out there. Betty’s hand comes up to cover her mouth and she gives a tiny nod, Jughead turning his back and walking away from her. As soon as he’s far enough away, Archie slides the door open and makes his way over to Betty.

“Hey,” he whispers, “Are you okay?”

Betty shakes her head, tears rimming her eyes. He’s immediately hit with a wave of deja vu, the broken heart he saw after the homecoming dance, the devastation.

“He knows it’s fake,” she whimpers, softly. “He said it’s time to grow up.”

Archie has a million things that he wants to say, that he could say.

He doesn’t deserve you. He’s a dick. It’s time to move on.

Instead, Archie catches Jughead’s gaze, and does the only thing he can think of that will help. He grabs Betty’s wrist and yanks her forward, crashing his lips against hers. She freezes for a moment, eyes fluttering closed before she kisses him back, a sigh into his mouth. He exhales, releasing a lot of emotions he didn’t know he had, and Betty takes it in, leaning into his chest.

The first kiss was different. It was under different circumstances and alarming for reasons that Archie didn’t have time to explore. Kissing her at a party, in front of all of their friends, he had to wonder if this is the way things were meant to be all along.

“Jughead looked outraged,” Betty beams, nudging against his shoulder during their stroll home. “Outraged!”

Archie glances up at her enthusiasm, a small eye roll. “I noticed.”

He feels his heart beating a little faster, thumping against his ribs, without really knowing why. At the end of all of this, Betty’s endgame is Jughead. He has to continually remind himself that while their fake relationship is fun, it’s not going to end with them together. He can’t quite figure out why that bothers him so much.

Betty takes the three steps up to her house and gives him a quick glance over her shoulder and she smiles.

“Good job tonight, Arch.”

And he swears he catches a small wink from her right eye.

Come Monday, Archie finds Betty at her locker and lets his hands fall to her waist. Betty jumps under his grip, her back colliding with his chest. and she giggles softly.

“What are you doing?” She whispers, almost scolding.

“If Jughead thinks it’s fake,” Archie mumbles, against her ear, “Let’s prove that it’s real.”

He can feel Betty shudder beneath his fingers, and he likes the feeling of holding her, having an effect on her again. His fingertips dig in to her hips just slightly and Betty releases a sigh into her open locker. Her hands continue to flip through her textbooks, but her movements have increasingly slowed.

PDA is not exactly new to Archie, Veronica was a bit of an exhibitionist and most of the time he was the one blushing in embarrassment at everyone staring. But he was starting to understand the thrill, hands skating up Betty’s sides, all the while knowing the entire school could be watching.

Betty turns to face him, swallowing gently.

“Archie…” and she sounds unsure, for the first time since they started this ridiculous scheme.

He smiles, a little amused, “Betty.”

Her gaze flickers down to his mouth, before meeting his eyes. A small nod.

“I’m in.”

Archie and Betty do what they can to become unavoidable. Archie grabs her by the wrist after Vixen practice and presses a quick kiss to her lips, snatching her duffle bag to carry on the walk home. It’s easy, because it’s not too far off from how things have always been, just a change in the context. Sometimes, dating Betty is so easy, Archie lets himself pretend it’s real.

“How was your day?” He asks, Betty’s fingers slipping easily into his own.

“Pretty good,” she shrugs, “Cheryl still doesn’t think I’m capable of a full front flip.”

Archie throws her a grin, “Are you?”

“Probably not.”

Archie swallows his chuckle, pressing his mouth against the crown of her head.

Just a change in the context.

“I’m having a party this weekend,” Veronica grabs him by the arm, “You’re invited, obviously.”

Archie nods, but can feel his body tense in her presence, seeking out Betty’s glance. Instead, he finds Betty’s back pressed against her locker with Jughead in front of her body. Archie’s fists clench beyond his control.

“Cool,” he shrugs, “I’ll be there.”

Veronica is staring at Archie, but Archie’s gaze can’t leave Betty and Jughead down the hall. Her gaze follows his own and she swallows harshly next to him.

“I assume you’ll be bringing your-“ she clears her throat, “Betty.”

Archie nods, can’t see any reason why he wouldn’t. Except that his “girlfriend” is still trapped in the same spot, Jughead reaching up to push a few strands of blonde hair out of her face. And Betty smiles, a little, but her gaze seeks him out, and Archie releases a deep sigh of relief. Veronica catches it and rolls her eyes.

“Can’t fight fate,” she mumbles, under her breath, “Right, Archiekins?”

The night of Veronica’s party, Betty walks over to Archie’s and he drives them to the Pembrooke. He notes Betty fidgeting in her seat next to him and the energy already feels off. He sucks in a breath and stares out the windshield, suddenly certain that Betty will end their arrangement tonight. It was short lived, of course, and only a matter of time before Jughead would realize his mistake, asking for her back.

And there was no doubt it in Archie’s mind that if given the opportunity, she would choose Jughead over him in a heartbeat. He already had his chance and he blew it, he’d have to move on from here. His hand moves to her knee and she nearly jumps in her skin, throwing him a small smile.

“Everything okay?” he asks, voice soft.

“Yeah,” she nods hurriedly, “Yes.”

Archie stands next to Betty in the elevator and glances at her as she sucks in a deep breath. Her eyes meet his for a moment, and she blinks the moment away. When the elevator dings open, Archie is shocked to find Jughead is already sitting on the chaste in Veronica’s foyer, drink sitting nearby. He glances up at them for a moment, before shifting his attention back to Sweet Pea’s animated story.

Archie can practically feel Betty vibrating next to him, the anxious edge of care care care.

“Archiekins,” Veronica approaches them, a beaming smile, “B.”

“Hey Veronica,” Archie gives her a grin, hasn’t been able to call her Ronnie since the break-up.

Betty’s brow furrows, “You’re in good spirits, V.”

“Well,” Veronica continues her flashy proud smile, “I have reconciled my feelings about your new romance. No use in fighting the inevitable, after all.”

Betty is quick to react, eyes widening at the word inevitable, and Archie opens his mouth to retort, but Jughead appears before anyone can get another word out. The red cup in his hand sloshes, and nearly goes over Veronica’s shoulder, but he catches it time.

“BettyandArchie,” Jughead grins, slurring slightly, “ArchieandBetty.”

Archie is suddenly struck with how much Jughead reminds him of his father in that moment, and while FP may have changed his ways, the times got worse before they got better. His arm protectively snakes around Betty’s waist, and Jughead’s gaze follows the movement, a smirk playing on his lips.

“Relax, Arch,” he shrugs, but Archie takes the dig of Betty’s usual nickname for him, “We’re all elated at your new found relationship.”

“Elated,” Betty repeats, and Archie rapidly tries to decipher if he hears disappointment in her voice. She shifts her gaze to meet his, tries to offer something back. What does she want? Her eyes don’t give anything away other than seeking out his comfort.

“After all this time,” Archie says, gaze flickering over her face carefully, “Who would’ve thought?”

Betty swallows, nearly a smile, “Who would’ve thought.”

tbc

#barchie #barchie fanfiction #fanfic #prompts filled #multichap #fake dating #ratedna #canon divergence #s2 #fluff #angst #blughead #verarchie #t:(i like me better) when i'm with you #a:barchiefanfiction #a:kinsellas

[barchiefanfiction]

when did things change? by simplydreaming

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Riverdale (TV 2017) Rating: Not Rated Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Archie Andrews/Betty Cooper Characters: Archie Andrews, Betty Cooper, Jughead Jones, Veronica Lodge Additional Tags: Season 1, this was a long time ago, I just found this, whoops, it's not great i apologize Summary:

Archie realizes he has liked Betty all along. It's always been Betty.

Read on AO3 

#barchie #barchie fanfiction #fanfic #drabble #ratedna #pining #blughead #angst #fluff #jealousy #canon divergence #s1 #t:when did things change #a:simplydreaming

[barchiefanfiction]

Guilty Hearts - Chapter 3

by keiraknighted

AO3 // ff.net

Veronica suggests a girls’ date at Pop’s after school on Thursday, and Betty agrees. It will be nice to spend some quality time with Veronica.

“Is Archie okay?” Veronica asks as they wait for their milkshakes.

Betty frowns. “Of course, V. Why wouldn’t he be?”

“I don’t get why he’s staying at your place and not mine. I told him Daddy was perfectly fine with it as long as he sleeps in the guest bedroom. Of course, I’d sneak him into my room but that’s beside the point.”

Betty shrugs. “He said he wanted to be closer to home and school. But if you’re worried about him, maybe you should talk to him?”

“I’ve tried, but he keeps shutting me out,” Veronica sighs. “If he says something, will you tell me?”

Betty nods, though it’s a lie. Veronica is her best girl-friend, and she loves her. But Betty’s loyalty is to Archie first, always.

Veronica shows no other signs that she’s annoyed that Archie is staying at Betty’s. Betty can’t help but think that might not be the case if Veronica knew what had happened between Betty and Archie the night of the Black Hood. Or if she knew what Betty had been thinking about as she touched herself last night.

The girls finish their milkshakes and walk back to Betty’s place together. As they reach the house, they hear the strumming of a guitar and Archie singing from his own garage, and they bypass the Cooper house in favour of seeing what Archie’s up to.

He stops playing immediately when he notices the girls watching him.

“Don’t stop on our account,” Veronica says. “I haven’t heard you play anything new in ages.”

“We practised together at school today,” Archie points out.

“But not something you wrote,” Veronica huffs.

“He’s been writing all week,” Betty says. Archie shoots her an accusatory look. Betty shrugs. What’s the big deal? It’s not like it’s a secret that he writes songs. She’d like to hear it too.

“Come on, play me something, Archiekins,” Veronica bats her eyes at him, and apparently that’s all it takes, because he sighs and his fingers find their place on the neck of the guitar.

Veronica looks pleased, and she drags the stool from the drums over to sit down. Betty remains standing. Archie glances up at them one last time before he starts to strum.

“Your name, gets my heart racing Can’t see the demons I’m facing You’ve always been right there on my side Even when I’ve fucked up, let you down, or lied

I swear you know me better than I ever could I swear you hold me tighter than anyone else would I swear you love me more than anyone should I swear you make me feel, make me feel so good.”

Truthfully, the song could easily be about Veronica. She clearly thinks it is, from the way she’s tearing up. But deep down, Betty knows it’s not. She closes her eyes as she listens to the lyrics, and she knows Archie is singing to her. Maybe it’s that one line. I swear you know me better than I ever could. No one knows Archie better than she does, not even his dad, and certainly not Veronica, who hasn’t even known him a year.

“Don’t want to be without you I always dream about you Look me in the eye and try to say it’s not real And I feel I don’t deserve you But I swear I’ll never hurt you I just want to make you feel the way you make me feel.”

Archie finishes the song, and Veronica applauds, standing up from her stool. Archie puts the guitar down, glancing at Betty. Betty chews the inside of her cheek, keeping her arms folded. Veronica rushes over to Archie and he stands up as Veronica kisses him.

Betty watches, her stomach sick as Archie’s arms circle around Veronica. She has no right to feel jealous, and yet she does.

Veronica pulls away. “I can’t believe you wrote me a song,” she gushes. “It was so good, Archiekins. Right, Betty?”

Both of them look to Betty and she nods. “It was really good, Arch,” she smiles. She’s not lying. The song really was something. But it’s left her feeling hollow. Or maybe it’s the way Veronica is clinging to Archie. The way Archie clutches her waist. The way they kiss like no one is watching. Maybe the song is about Veronica after all.

“I’ll let you two have some alone time,” Betty says. Neither of them even responds as Betty leaves the garage. She heads to her room and throws herself on her bed.

She’s glad she never let herself truly entertain the thought of being with Archie. Sure, she had a couple of fantasies, but she never deluded herself into thinking something might actually happen between them. Not this time, anyway.

After all, he’s never going to leave Veronica. And it’s not like Betty is going to leave Jughead either. And even if they both happened to break up with their respective partners, it’s not like anything could ever happen. Anything that could occur between Betty and Archie, any relationship that might blossom, would be seen as an act of utter betrayal. Which is why that night in the car remains a secret.

And even if Betty had, somewhere deep inside her, imagined that something could still happen between her and Archie, one day, far in the future, she is very much aware now, that no such thing will ever be possible.  And somehow, coming to that realisation hurts like hell.

  It’s warm, the Saturday of the Spring Fete, the warmest day of the year yet. It’s sunny outside, although there is a storm forecast later. Sure she’ll be home by then, Betty puts on a dress for the occasion. It’s a short floral thing, with buttons all the way down the front. She thinks she looks pretty. She feels pretty.

Especially when she walks out of her room and Archie smiles at her and tells her she looks pretty. She tries not to blush.

“Jughead’s picking me up in a minute,” Betty says. “We’ll meet you there, I guess.”

Archie frowns. “On his motorbike?”

Betty nods. “Yeah.”

Archie glances down at what she’s wearing. And okay, maybe it’s not the most suitable motorcycle gear, but he has a spare helmet and it’s only a couple of minutes away. Jughead swears he’ll never crash.

“How about we all just go in Ronnie’s car?” Archie suggests. “She’s coming to pick me up soon anyway.”

Betty nods. “Okay.”

It’s not like Archie to be the sensible one, but she does have to concede he’s right. She’s not sure what she’d been thinking, except that it was a cute dress and that Jughead wouldn’t let any harm come to her. Would he have let her get on the motorbike with her legs uncovered like that?

He says nothing about the dress when he arrives. He gives her a peck on the lips, and puts his bike in the garage when Betty tells him they’re getting a ride with Veronica.

The fete is being held in the park, and there had been people around all week setting up, decorating and organising. Kevin had tried to rope Betty into helping, but she had claimed she had too much to do with the Blue and Gold.

It seems like the whole town is there, enjoying the warm weather and the spring atmosphere. Jughead takes Betty’s hand as they leave the car and start wandering through the stalls of food and drink and games. Veronica and Archie walk behind them. There’s a slight breeze that ruffles Betty’s hair and the bottom of her dress, but even then, the day is pleasant.

The four of them grab some fries and hotdogs and find a place to sit on the grass. Betty struggles to find a position that doesn’t flash her underwear to the whole world.

“I can’t wait to hear what you guys have been rehearsing all week,” Betty says to Veronica.

Veronica beams. “I really think we’re going to give Josie and Cheryl a run for their money.”

“It’s not a competition though, is it?”

“Everything with Cheryl is a competition.”

Jughead chews on his hot dog, not bothering to finish swallowing before he speaks. “What time are you guys performing?”

Betty looks to Archie while Veronica answers the question, wondering why he’s so quiet. Her face heats up when she realises he’s looking at her. More specifically, the expanse of white skin that’s showing beneath the hem of her dress. She glances down, checking if he can see up it. Some sick part of her hopes he can.

“Betty, you really need to get a tan if you’re going to show that much leg,” Veronica says. “I feel like I’m going blind.” Her voice is teasing, but she must have noticed Archie looking, otherwise why point it out?

Betty tugs at her skirt self-consciously. She meets Archie’s eyes, and he flushes, knowing he’s been caught, not only by Betty, but Veronica too.  

“Don’t listen to her, Betty,” Jughead says, placing a hand on Betty’s knee. Archie looks away quickly.

“I’m only joking,” Veronica says. “Betty knows that. Archiekins, get me a drink, will you?”

Archie nods. “Sure,” he says, getting up and heading back towards the food stalls. Veronica watches him go.

“How will he know what to get you?” Betty asks.

“He should know,” Veronica shrugs.

  Jughead and Betty stand in the crowd while Archie and Veronica take their places on the makeshift stage.

They sing Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper. Archie starts.

“Lying in my bed, I hear the clock tick and think of you…”

Betty feels Jughead slip his hand into hers again and she looks to him with a smile. He looks serious.

“Can I talk to you for a second?” he says. Betty nods, and they weave their way to the back of the crowd.

“What’s going on?” Betty asks as Veronica’s voice echoes through the park.

“You say go slow. I fall behind.”

“You know I trust you, right?” Jughead asks. Betty nods. “And it’s not that I don’t trust Archie, I swear…”

“Jug? What’s going on?”

“I’m just airing my insecurities so they don’t… fester,” he huffs. “So you can reassure me.”

“Okay…”

Archie and Veronica continue singing in the background. “If you’re lost, you can look and you will find me, time after time…”

Jughead takes a deep breath. “I didn’t like the way he was looking at you before.”

Betty’s stomach clenches. So Jughead had noticed too.

“What do you mean?” she asks.

Jughead shrugs. “He was staring at you. A few times.” A few times? Betty had only noticed the once.

“He was probably just spaced out. Not thinking about where he was looking,” Betty says.

Jughead shakes his head. “He was definitely looking at you. Like… like he was picturing what was under your dress.”

“Watching through windows, you’re wondering if I’m okay. Secrets stolen from deep inside. The drum beats out of time…”

Betty flushes. “Jug,” she says, sounding much calmer than she’s feeling. “If he was… and I really doubt he was, then that’s all on him. There is nothing going on between me and Archie. I can’t control what he looks at or what he thinks.”

Jughead nods. “I know.” He lets out a long breath. “So you don’t think I should mention it to him?”

Betty shakes her head. “He’s probably just having a dry spell with Veronica. She hasn’t been around much while he’s been at my place. He’d probably be distracted by any pair of legs.”

Jughead nods. He seems placated. Betty only feels a little guilty. (For what? She hasn’t done anything wrong, has she?)

The catch the end of the performance, and Betty is sure that she must be imagining that Archie is looking dead at her.

“If you fall, I will catch you, I’ll be waiting. Time after time.”

After the performances, the fete seems to be winding down a little, and dark clouds have blocked out the sun. Cheryl approaches, hand in hand with Toni. Strange, Betty had no idea they were together, or even that Cheryl was into girls. Or Serpents, for that matter.

“I’m having a little after party at Thistlehouse if you guys want to come along,” Cheryl offers.

“Sounds great!” Veronica says, at the same time Archie says, “No thanks.”

They look at each other. “You go,” Archie says. “I can walk home.”

“Are you sure?” Veronica asks. She glances upwards. “It looks like it’s about to rain.”

Archie shrugs. “I can make it back in time.”

“I’ll walk with you,” Betty says. “Jug, you want to come and get your bike?”

Jughead shakes his head, also looking somewhat dubiously at the sky. “I don’t really want to ride in a storm.”

“I can drop you home if you like?” Veronica offers. Jughead glances at Betty before nodding.

“Thanks,” he says.

Archie gives his own cursory glance to the sky, as thunder rumbles somewhere in the distance. “Come on,” he says to Betty. “We better go now if we want to make it home before it starts raining.”

Betty risks a glance at Jughead. He nods again, like he’s trying to convince himself there isn’t anything to worry about. Betty smiles at him, trying to convince him the same.

Archie goes to leave.

“Archiekins. Wait,” Veronica says, and Archie turns back. Veronica grabs him and pulls him down to kiss him. Passionately. Possessively. Betty has to look away.

Veronica lets Archie go, and she stalks off with Cheryl and Toni. Jughead gives Betty and Archie one last indecipherable look before he follows.

  There’s no reason for their hands to touch as they walk home. The path is perfectly wide enough for the both of them. And yet with every step, the backs of their hands brush against each other, sending goosebumps up Betty’s arm.

Thunder crashes. Betty looks up.

“Do you think we’ll make it?”

Archie considers. “Probably not.”

Moments later, the heavens open and it begins to pour. Betty squeals and Archie laughs.

“Come on,” he says. He grabs her hand and they sprint down their street towards Betty’s house. They’re absolutely drenched by the time they make it inside. Betty’s heart is racing and she’s sure the grin on her face is as wide as the one on Archie’s.

Archie goes to take a step towards the stairs, but Betty grabs his arm, stopping him.

“Wait, wait!” she hisses. “Mom will kill us if we drip water all over the carpet.”

Archie tilts his head. “Is she home?” he asks.

Betty shakes her head. She supposes as long as it dries before Alice gets home it will be fine. She’s about to say so, but Archie is already slipping off his shoes and socks. Then he pulls his sopping shirt over his head. It falls to the floor with a splat. Betty watches, her heart in her throat, her face flaming. Archie’s eyes don’t leave her as he reaches for the button on his jeans. He undoes his pants and pulls them off, letting them join his shirt on the floor.

Betty lets her eyes trail over his body, the sight of him half naked making her heart pound and her knees weak. She wants to run her tongue over every inch of him.

She looks down at her own drenched dress, clinging to her every curve. She reaches for the top button. Her hands shake, whether from cold or nerves she doesn’t know. She fumbles with the button, unable to get it undone.

Archie steps towards her. “Here,” he says. Betty drops her hands and lets him take over. He’s so close she can feel his breath, see his bare chest rise and fall. Heat radiates from his body and she wants to press herself against him. Partly for warmth, partly because she aches to touch him, to feel his body hard against hers.

He undoes the buttons on her dress slowly. She trembles as his knuckles brush over her bare skin, her breasts, her stomach, and she feels like she might die. It’s excruciating to be this close to him and not be able to do anything about it.

He could stop when he gets to belly button. The dress would still come off easily. But he drops to his knees, and the dirty fantasies that arise in Betty’s mind are almost too much to bear. He keeps unbuttoning her dress, revealing her pink panties. It would be so easy for him to just lean in and kiss her there. Run his tongue along her slit. God, she wants him to. Every fibre of her being yearns for him to touch her there, with his tongue, his fingers. She wants him to suck on her nipples, finger her until she can’t stand it. She wants him to put his cock in her and fuck her until she can’t walk.  

He reaches the bottom of the dress and stands up. Betty bites her lip as he slides the dress from her shoulders and lets it fall to the floor. Her pussy pulses, desperate for attention.

“Your panties are all wet too,” Archie murmurs. Betty flushes. “From the rain,” Archie clarifies.

Betty looks down, barely able to make eye contact. His cock has formed a large tent in his boxers, and Betty finds herself blushing again. Fuck. Has he been thinking about the same things as she has?

She looks back up at him. “Arch,” she says, her voice barely a whisper. “I wish we could—”

“Me too,” he says hoarsely. “You have no idea how much self-control it’s taking not to kiss you right now.”

Betty’s eyes flick to his lips. She feels the same way. It takes every ounce of her being not to give in to her desires.

Why are they doing this? To torture themselves?

Are they still toeing the line, or did they cross it eons ago?

Betty swallows. “We should put our clothes in the dryer.”

Archie nods. They scoop up the wet clothes and throw them in the dryer. They head upstairs and Betty grabs them both towels. They head to their respective rooms and Betty peels off her damp underwear and wraps herself in the big fluffy white towel.

Then she goes back to Archie’s room. He’s got the towel wrapped around his waist and he’s lying on his bed on his phone.

“Hey,” he says when he sees Betty in the doorway. He gestures for Betty to come over, and she pads across the room and lies beside him on the bed.

She doesn’t know why she didn’t get dressed. Perhaps to torture herself a little more. Perhaps to torture him. Perhaps she’s hoping the towel will slip and she’ll accidentally reveal herself to him. She gets a thrill at the thought of it. God, she’s sick.

Archie slips his hand into hers and gives it a squeeze.

“Betty,” he says. “What the fuck are we doing?”

“I don’t know,” Betty whispers.

Archie turns on his side to face her, and Betty does the same.

“Do you want me to—” he starts. “Should I—?”

“Should you what?”

His phone rings.

“It’s Veronica,” he says, pulling his hand from Betty’s. He answers. “Hey, what’s going on?”

Betty watches him.

“Yeah, she’s right here,” Archie says, glancing at Betty.

He jolts upright, looking panicked.

“No!” he says. “Who told you that?... Cheryl? Fuck. No, I swear that’s not what happened.”

He swallows and glances at Betty.

“No… well, we kissed. And maybe—look, can we talk about this in person? I’ll come pick you up… okay I’ll meet you at the Pembrooke then.”

Betty’s stomach churns, guilt and dread eating at her. Veronica somehow found out about what happened the night of the Black Hood.

Archie hangs up, looking angry and defeated. “Cheryl saw us in the car that night. She told Veronica we fucked.”

Betty feels like she might throw up.

“But we didn’t.”

“But we almost did.”

Betty can’t deny that.

“Betty…” Archie groans. He seems torn up. Guilt, probably. “I need you to tell me, before I talk to Veronica. Do you want me to fix things with her?”

Betty stares at him. What is he asking her? Whether she wants to be with him? Of course she fucking does. She’s been in love with him since she was ten years old. Younger, maybe. But it’s way too late for that. They can’t be together. Their friends would never forgive them.

“Of course,” Betty lies. “It’s still salvageable. You guys weren’t together when it happened.”

Archie nods, his jaw tight. “Right.” He gets up and Betty does the same. Betty goes for the door.

“If it goes well I probably won’t be back tonight,” Archie says. Betty nods.

“Good luck, then,” she says. She goes to leave again.

“Betty—” Archie says. She stops, turning back one last time. “You should probably talk to Jughead before someone else does.”

“Right,” she nods. “Good point.”

She steps out into the hallway and closes the door behind her. Time to work out what she’s going to say to Jughead. What can she say to ease the blow? What does she need to do to save a relationship she’s not even sure she wants to save?

#barchie #barchie fanfiction #fanfic #prompts filled #multichap #canon divergence #s2 #jealousy #angst #blughead #verarchie #cheating #ratede #cheroni #pining #mutual pining #music #t:guilty hearts #a:barchiefanfiction #a:keiraknighted

[barchiefanfiction]

Guilty Hearts - Chapter 5

by keiraknighted

AO3 // ff.net

After breaking up with Jughead, there is nothing Betty wants to do more than wrap herself in Archie’s arms. But she can’t go running to Archie yet. She has to keep a safe distance until he’s ended things with Veronica. So, she calls Veronica instead.

Veronica is over in five minutes with two tubs of ice-cream and a bottle of wine she snuck out of her fridge at home.

Betty cries. She cries because she hurt Jughead, because she lied to him, because he hates her and he thinks she doesn’t love him. Veronica hugs her and holds her tight, and Betty cries even harder, because she’s an awful friend who’s plotting to steal her best friend’s boyfriend.

They eat the ice-cream straight out of the tub, and Veronica puts The Duff on, and Betty feels better for a while.

The movie ends, and the tubs of ice-cream are empty, as is the bottle of wine. Veronica turns to Betty.

“Are you feeling any better?” she asks.

Betty nods. “Yeah. Thanks, V. I know it’s dumb to cry because I’m the one who broke up with him. But it still hurts.”

“I know,” Veronica nods. “But I’m here, any time you need me.”

“Thank, V,” Betty says. She hopes her lies are enough to stay friends with Veronica. Because if she ever finds out the truth, Betty doesn’t know if Veronica will ever forgive her.

 It’s torture, waiting for Archie to break up with Veronica. One week passes, and then two. Betty has to act like she’s perfectly happy watching him hold hands with Veronica, watching them kiss, knowing they’re spending their nights together. It drives her crazy.

She’s kept her distance from Archie and Jughead over the past few weeks, throwing herself into working on the Blue & Gold, and hanging out with Kevin or Veronica when she needs company. Kevin seems to have no idea what’s going on between her and Archie, and Betty figures if Kevin hasn’t caught on, they must be in the clear.

After three weeks of torture, Archie grabs her by the arm after school on Friday, while she’s grabbing her books from her locker.

He leans in close to her ear. “I’m doing it today,” he whispers. And then he’s gone. Betty watches him walk down the hallway, but he doesn’t look back.

Betty’s stomach churns. She’s not sure if she’s excited or nervous. She walks home alone, her mind in turmoil. She wishes she knew what Archie was going to say to Veronica. What if Veronica guesses why he’s breaking up with her? What if he chickens out? What if Veronica convinces him they should stay together?

Betty goes to her room with the intent of doing her homework, but she finds she can’t concentrate. She gravitates towards the front window, looking out, awaiting Archie’s return.

Her heart speeds up when she sees him walking down the street, from the direction of Pop’s. Is that where he’d done it? He’s alone, but she can’t make out his expression. She races downstairs and out the front door, beating him to his house. His blank expression doesn’t change as he ascends the steps.

“Well?” Betty asks.

“Come inside,” Archie says, putting a hand on the small of her back and guiding her through the front door. He shuts the door and Betty turns to him, ready to hear every detail of what went down with Veronica. Archie glances around, like he’s afraid someone might be watching.

“Let’s go upstairs,” he says.

Betty follows him upstairs, her stomach in knots. She feels like he’s about to break up with her, and they aren’t even together. But what if he’s about to tell her it’s not going to happen? He’s staying with Veronica? Betty doesn’t think she could bear it.

They reach his room and Betty shuts the door behind them. Archie goes to the window and closes the blind before turning back to her. She watches him in anguish, waiting for him to say something, to confirm her worst fears.

Archie steps towards her, running his tongue over his bottom lip. He looks nervous as he approaches her, and Betty’s heart pounds erratically. He’s an inch away from her.

“Arch—”

He cups her face in his hands. He brushes his thumb over her bottom lip, and Betty feels goosebumps erupt all over her body. And then he kisses her. Betty’s eyes flutter closed and her insides turn to mush. His lips are soft against hers, gentle but desperate, like he can’t quite believe this is real. Betty feels the same.

It’s over too soon, and Betty keeps her eyes closed for a few moments, still reeling from his kiss. Archie’s hands drop from her face and Betty slowly opens her eyes. Archie’s smiling at her. She beams back at him, still feeling all gooey inside.

“I have wanted to do that for so long,” Archie whispers.

“Me too,” Betty says. Archie goes to kiss her again, but she stops him. “It’s over, right?” Betty asks. Because she has to be sure. She can’t do this if he’s still with Veronica. “You broke up with her?”

“Yeah,” Archie nods. “I told her it was because of her Dad. I think she believed me.”

“How was she?” Betty asks nervously.

Archie shrugs. “She seemed fine. She said she saw it coming.”

Betty waits for the wave of guilt to hit her. It never comes. She smiles, and she slips her arms around Archie’s neck, and pushes herself up on her toes so she can kiss him again, harder, longer. Archie responds with fervour, his tongue delving into her mouth, making Betty press herself harder against him, desperate to be closer to him, to feel his touch all over her body.

Betty breaks the kiss, and Archie whines, chasing her mouth with his own.

“What else have you been wanting to do?” Betty murmurs. Betty hears Archie’s breath catch.

“You have no idea,” he says, his voice hoarse. Betty gets a thrill from the words.

“Show me.”

Archie’s lips crash against her own again, his mouth hot but delicate on hers. His lips trail from her mouth, across her jaw and down to her neck.

“I want to kiss you everywhere,” he breathes before he sucks her skin into his mouth. Betty moans, and it feels so good that she doesn’t even care that later she’s somehow going to have to cover up the mark he leaves.

His hands slip under her top, his fingers dancing on her bare skin, and Betty lifts her arms so he can get it over her head. Archie cradles her in his arms as her drops his lips to her collarbone, continuing to kiss her skin, down her chest, the hollow between her breasts. Betty reaches behind her and unclips her bra and Archie pulls away, watching her with baited breath. Her heart hammers against her rib cage as she lets the bra fall from her chest shyly. She stands there for a moment, her nipples hard from arousal, and Archie just looks at her in awe.

He lifts his right hand and grazes her nipple with his thumb. Betty’s breath catches. He does it again, and she can feel a tug between her legs, her panties dampening. She wants him to put his mouth on her straining nipples, but instead he grabs her hands and walks backwards until he hits the bed. He sinks onto it, pulling her with him, guiding her onto his lap. She straddles him, and she can feel him hard between her legs. She bites her lip. It’s all she can do not to grind down on him. Her pussy throbs, desperate for some friction.

Archie distracts her by dragging his tongue over her right nipple, sending thrills through her body.  His fingertips rest against the bare skin of her back, and Betty’s arms circle his neck. He moves his head to her other nipple and sucks it into his mouth. Betty whimpers. The throbbing between her legs only intensifies. She can’t help herself, she grinds down against him feeling the pressure of his hard cock through two pairs of jeans. Archie gasps, releasing her nipple from his mouth.

“God, Betty,” he groans. He sounds wrecked already, and the sound of his husky voice only spurs Betty on. She grinds against him again and he lets out a small moan. He surges up to kiss her again, and his hands reach for her hair, pulling the band from her ponytail and letting her blonde hair fall around her shoulders. His fingers tangle in her hair as he kisses her.

Betty brings her hands to the hem of his shirt and pulls it upwards, breaking the kiss so she can pull it over his head and gaze upon his perfect body. It hardly seems real that she’s allowed to touch him now, that she can live out the fantasies she’s been having for months.

With that in mind, Betty pushes Archie back on to the bed so he’s lying down. She hovers above him for a moment, on all fours, and then she drops her head to his chest, and runs her tongue over his hard body. She trails her mouth down and down until she reaches the waistband of his jeans. She knows he’s hard as hell in there, and she wants to lick his cock, make him groan her name again. She reaches for his fly, but Archie catches her wrist, sitting up.

She looks up at him, tilting her head in confusion. As far as she knows, guys love having their dick sucked.

“I don’t want you to do that yet,” he says.

“Why?”

“The first time my cock is inside you, it’s going to be making you feel good,” he says. Betty’s stomach flips over and her core pulses with anticipation.

“Then do it already,” Betty says. She doesn’t think she can wait any longer. Archie pulls her back up onto the bed and flips her over so she’s the one lying on her back. He undoes the button on her jeans and pulls them off slowly, leaving her in just her panties. She feels exposed all of a sudden, and she blushes at the way he stares at her, like he’s never seen anything so beautiful.

He presses his middle finger to the outside of her panties and drags it down her slit. Betty gasps and rolls her head back.

“Can I take these off?” Archie asks, his voice hoarse.

“Yes.”

Betty holds her breath as he pulls her panties down, lifting each of her legs so he can remove them completely. And then she’s naked in front of him, her heart racing. He leans over her and presses a soft kiss to her lips.

“You are so beautiful,” he tells her. “I love you.”

Betty smiles. She hadn’t realised how much she needed to hear that again. “I love you too,” she whispers.

“I’m going to make you feel so good,” Archie murmurs. He continues looking into her eyes, even as he gently brushes his fingers along the inside of her thigh. His fingers reach her wet slit and Betty spreads her legs for him. He thumbs her clit and Betty whines quietly, arching her back. His fingers delve into her folds and his lips press against her neck again.

Betty’s breathing becomes laboured as Archie’s fingers thrust inside her, and she squirms beneath him. She can feel herself nearing her peak as Archie fingers her and kisses her breasts.

“Yes,” she pants as the pressure builds. “Arch, I—” she cuts herself off with a soft moan, curling her toes as her orgasm hits her. Her eyes squeeze shut, but she knows Archie is watching her writhe in pleasure, his fingers still inside her.

“Fuck, Betty,” Archie says. “I love watching you come. I’ve been thinking about it since that night in the car.”

Betty doesn’t know what to do with that information. That he’s been thinking about her like this for months now.

“Is that when you started to want me?” Betty asks, almost timidly. “After I kissed you that night?”

Archie swallows. He shakes his head slowly. “No, Betty. I wanted you long before that. I just… couldn’t admit it to myself, I guess. That I thought about you differently.”

Betty surges up to kiss him, taking him by surprise. “Make love to me, Archie,” she says, sounding desperate. Archie moans into her mouth, and he finally undoes his jeans and pulls them off hurriedly, while Betty strokes his chest.  She drags her hand down his chest and abs and slips it into his boxers, biting her lip when she feels his hard cock throbbing beneath her fingers.

Archie kisses her messily, hungrily, pushing her back down onto his bed. He removes his boxers, and Betty finally gets to see him naked. His cock is long and thick, and Betty’s stomach lurches at the thought of it inside of her. She wants it so badly.

Archie reaches into the top drawer of his nightstand and pulls out a condom. He rips it open, and Betty watches as he attempts to roll it onto his cock. His hands are shaking. Betty feels her heart squeeze. He’s nervous.

Betty had been nervous herself at first, but she hadn’t expected Archie to be. Betty has only ever done this with one person before, Archie is much more experienced.

“Sorry,” he mutters as he fumbles with the condom. “You’d think I’d never done this before.” His face is red, and he’s clearly embarrassed. Betty reaches over and helps him put the condom on. She kisses him to calm his nerves. His hands are steady again when he presses them against her back.

Betty lies back, pulling Archie with her, still kissing him.

“Are you ready?” Archie whispers. Betty nods, her stomach filling with butterflies. Archie positions his cock at her entrance and Betty spreads her legs for him, pulling her knees up. She watches as he gently pushes the tip of his cock into her, lifting her ass off the bed slightly. He brings his eyes up to meet hers, and she bites her lip, nodding for him to continue.

She knows his cock is big, but she’s unprepared for just how much he stretches her as he pushes into her. Betty lets out a strangled moan as his cock fills her, and she feels as though she might break.

“You okay?” Archie asks, his voice strained.

“It feels so good,” Betty whines. Archie thrusts his hips, tentatively, as if he’s testing out what he can do to her. His cock hits her centre and Betty spasms, fisting her hands in the sheets beneath her.

“You like that?”

“Mmhmm.”

Betty’s eyes flutter closed as he thrusts again. He stills for a moment and Betty thinks she might die from anticipation. She jerks her hips and it’s Archie’s turn to moan. Betty hooks her legs around him, pulling him closer, deeper inside her.

“Please, Archie,” she groans.

He loses control then, driving into her hard. He fucks her desperately, and every jolt of his cock goes straight to her core, winding her tighter and tighter. The sounds that come from her mouth are high pitched an unintelligible, except for his name.

“Arch,” she moans, sounding like a complete wreck.

“Yes,” he pants. “Say my name. Say my name like that.”

“Archie. Archie. Arch. Oh my god, Arch.”

He keeps fucking her, even as she comes beneath him, crying out, arching towards him, her whole body trembling. And then he comes, holding himself inside her as his body goes rigid and he groans. He finishes, and drops his head to her shoulder, panting, the two of them completely shattered. But god, Betty already wants to do it again.

Archie rolls off her, still breathing heavy, and Betty curls into his side. She presses a soft kiss against his shoulder.

“Were you nervous?” she whispers. He blushes again, and Betty loves the way his whole face turns bright red.

“Yeah,” he admits. “Weren’t you?”

“Yeah,” Betty says.

He turns to her. “I just wanted it to be really good. I didn’t want you to be disappointed.”

“I’m definitely not disappointed,” Betty laughs. “You’ve already given me more orgasms than anyone else ever has.”

Archie’s eyes widen. Betty hadn’t really meant to tell him that, but it’s too late to take it back now. “Jughead never…?” he trails off.

Betty shakes her head. Archie studies her for a moment.

“And what about yourself?” he asks. Betty tilts her head in confusion. Archie clarifies. “Have you given yourself orgasms?”

Betty’s face floods with colour. “Oh,” she says. “Yes.”

“What do you think about?” Archie asks, his voice hoarse. “When you touch yourself.”

Betty can already feel the throbbing beginning between her legs again. “You, mostly,” she whispers.

“Me too,” Archie says.

“You think about yourself while you jerk off?” Betty grins.

“Shut up,” Archie laughs. Betty snorts with laughter, and Archie pulls her into a hug, still grinning.

“I need to get a drink of water,” Betty says.

Archie lets her go. “Okay.”

Betty rolls out of bed, enjoying the way Archie watches her naked body as she searches for her clothes.

“Wear something of mine,” he says. Betty glances at him, then makes her way to his closet. She pulls out a button-down shirt and slips it over her shoulders, before buttoning it up, leaving the top few buttons undone.

“Well?” she asks, posing for him.

“It looks so good I want you to take it off so I can kiss you everywhere, like I said I was going to,” Archie says.

Betty smiles, desire pooling in her stomach at the thought of Archie going down on her. “When I get back,” she says.

Betty skips downstairs, feeling light and happy. She walks into the kitchen and stops dead, her stomach dropping when she sees Fred closing the fridge. He spots her and does a double take.

“Betty,” he says, not even bothering to hide his surprise.

“Archie and Veronica broke up,” she says quickly, then curses herself. If it wasn’t obvious enough already what she and Archie had been up to, from her wearing nothing but Archie’s shirt, it sure as hell is now. She may as well have said hey, I’ve been fucking your son but it’s okay because he’s single now.

“Oh,” Fred nods. Betty’s face burns.

“I was just… going to get a glass of water,” Betty says.

“Right,” Fred says. He’s clearly feeling just as awkward and embarrassed as she is. “I’ll just… let Archie know I’m home.”

Betty nods as Fred leaves the kitchen.

“Mr Andrews?” she calls after him. He turns back.

“Yes, Betty?”

“Don’t tell anyone I was here?” she says.

Fred nods. “Of course,” he says. He leaves the room then. Betty hopes he knocks before he goes into Archie’s room.

She gets herself a glass of water and takes a few sips before pouring the rest back down the sink. She heads back upstairs, stopping at the top of the stairs when she hears voices coming from Archie’s room.

“Are you surprised?” she hears Archie say.

Fred chuckles. “I was surprised to see Betty in the kitchen. But I’m not surprised things didn’t work out with you and Veronica.”

“So, you approve?” Archie asks.

“Of course, I do, son,” Fred says. “Whatever makes you happy.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

“I’m going to head out for a while, okay?”

“Okay.”

The door opens and Betty continues walking, as if she hadn’t been standing there eavesdropping. Fred nods at her as he passes.

Archie grins at her from the doorway, pants back on, and Betty cringes. He grabs her hands and drags her back into his room.

“Oh my god,” Betty says. “That was so embarrassing.”

“He had to find out sometime,” Archie laughs.

“What if he had come upstairs earlier?” Betty says, imagining the horrifying situation. “He could have heard us.”

“But he didn’t,” Archie says. “And now he’s gone, so you can be as loud as you want while I eat you out, okay?”

“Oh my god, Archie,” Betty says, blushing.

“What? Don’t you want me to do that?”

Betty blushes even harder. “No, I want you to.”

Archie grins. “Come on then,” he says, leading her back to the bed. “And keep my shirt on.”

#barchie #barchie fanfiction #fanfic #prompts filled #multichap #ratede #canon divergence #s2 #blughead #verarchie #smut #fluff #angst #t:guilty hearts #a:barchiefanfiction #a:keiraknighted

[barchiefanfiction]

Guilty Hearts

by keiraknighted

AO3 // ff.net

Summary:  After their clandestine encounter the night they caught the Black Hood, Archie and Betty try to fix things with Veronica and Jughead. Only, they can't seem to stop thinking about each other.

Prompts:  Fred is out of town and doesn't want Archie staying home alone so he has to stay at the Coopers for a week while he's gone. Jughead and Veroncia aren't fond of the idea of Betty and Archie sleeping under the same roof based on the fact they know they still have feelings for one another and during the stay the sexual tension between Betty and Archie is at an all time high, leading to a beginning of a secret romance

+

barchie happened while they were dating their current partner. Instead of a kiss in the car that was in season 2 they do more. They try to fix things with their partner ,but realize they want to be with each other please?

Chapter One

Betty collapses on her bed after walking home from school alone. The day has been completely and totally exhausting. With Southside High closing, it seems like a constant battle to keep both the North siders and the South siders happy. Cheryl still won’t let it go. And yet, other than that almost frivolous drama, everything is perfectly normal. It seems strange to Betty, after weeks of being tormented by the Black Hood, of constantly thinking about ways to catch him and ways to keep her friends safe. She doesn’t have to worry about that anymore.

She should feel content, at peace, and she does feel relief to some extent. But after everything she went through, after everything the Black Hood put her through, after that night with Archie, hunting the Black Hood through the night, she doesn’t know if she’ll ever truly feel at peace in this town again.

She badly wants to forget that night. She wants to forget being held at gunpoint, and forget Archie getting into that coffin in the hopes of sparing her life. And God, does she want to forget what had happened with Archie only forty minutes earlier, in a car outside Cheryl Blossom’s house. Somehow that’s the part that haunts her the most.

She groans into her pillow as the memory surfaces.

Archie gripping her hands tightly, looking at her with those deep brown eyes, telling her how much he needed her. The pounding of her heart. All rational thought leaving her brain as she kissed him, the warmth that bloomed in her chest when he kissed her back. Desire swelling inside her. And then somehow, she was in his lap, straddling him, and his hands were in her hair, under her shirt, between her legs. They’d only come to their senses when they realised neither of them had a condom.

Betty cringes now when she thinks about what might have happened had Archie had one on him. It would have been such a mistake. It was a mistake to let it get as far as it did. And maybe as she thinks about it now her heartrate speeds up, and a there’s a throbbing between her legs as her panties dampen. Maybe she can still feel the ghosts of his fingertips on her skin. But it doesn’t mean anything. It can’t mean anything.

Especially since Betty’s very next unwanted vision is the memory of Archie and Veronica stumbling into the common room only a few days later, mouths all over each other. They’re back together. Which is a good thing, of course. It means there is no need for Betty to bring up the other night with Archie like she’d been planning to. They can just forget it ever happened. Or at least, hide it so well that Archie thinks she’s forgotten about it. That works just as well.

But seeing Archie with Veronica had made Betty ache. Not for Archie. For Jughead. She misses him. Misses having someone. She can’t remember now why they aren’t together. She’d spoken to him today at school, and honestly? He seemed like maybe he missed her too.

She calls him. He picks up almost instantly.

“Betty,” he says. He sounds happy she called.

“Jug,” Betty smiles. “Can we talk? Maybe you could come over. My mom isn’t home.”

There’s a silence at the other end, and Betty wonders if maybe she’s made a mistake. But then he says, “Sure, I’ll be right over,” and Betty hangs up the phone and lies back down on her bed, clutching it to her chest.

She hears his motorbike pull up a few minutes later, and she pulls back the curtain on her front facing window to peer down at him. She watches him take off his helmet and shake his hair loose. He has such nice hair. Betty wishes he’d show it off more. He looks up and meets her eyes, and Betty gives him a little wave before skipping down the stairs, two at a time, to meet him.

He lets himself in and he’s waiting just inside the door. Betty stops at the bottom of the stairs. They’re supposed to talk. She should probably tell him what happened with Archie. He should probably apologise for breaking up with her in the first place. But right now, Betty knows those conversations are only going to complicate things, and right now she doesn’t want complicated. She just wants him.

She surges forward, and Jughead meets her halfway, their lips colliding.

“Jug, I need you,” Betty whispers. “I’m ready.”

Jughead swallows. “Yeah?”

Betty nods. She’d almost gone that far with Archie. It should be easy with Jughead.

Upstairs, Jughead’s lips latch onto hers again as she leads him into her room. Betty smiles against his mouth, spinning him around and onto the bed. She’s distracted by movement from the corner of her eye and she turns her head toward the window. She can see Archie standing there in his bedroom, watching her. She can’t decipher his expression.

Caught off-guard by his sudden appearance, unwanted images of him flash through her mind. Underneath her, all over her. Her own voice echoes in her head.

“Touch me, Archie.”

“Like that?”

“Yes. Like that.”

She flushes, remembering how desperate she’d sounded, and how it felt when he put his fingers inside her. She’d gone that far with Jughead already. But with Jughead it had been more careful, more deliberate. She’d thought about it, had time to get nervous and overthink it, and change her mind several times. And then when it was over it didn’t seem like such a big deal.

It’s the opposite with Archie. She hadn’t overthought it at all. She let herself get caught up in the moment, handed herself over to her lust. And now it seems like a huge deal.

“What is it?” Jughead asks, propping himself up on his elbows. “We don’t have to do this if you don’t want. I just want to be with you, Betty.”

Betty whips her head back around to face him, feeling guilty. She should tell him.

“It’s Archie,” she says in a rush. She swallows.

“Well, close the blinds so we can have some privacy,” Jughead grins. Betty gives him a forced smile and heads to the window. She makes eye contact with Archie again. He smiles. Betty’s stomach flips over and she hastily closes the blind.

  Archie appears on her doorstep the next morning. Betty freezes when she opens the door. Archie grins at her.

“What are you doing here?”

“Nice to see you too.”

“Sorry. I’m just surprised to see you.”

“I live next door, remember?”

Betty rolls her eyes, and Archie chuckles.

“I thought I’d walk you to school,” he shrugs.

Betty nods. “Okay.”

Betty grabs her schoolbag and follows Archie outside.

“So,” Archie says. “You and Jughead are back together.”

“We are,” Betty says, not looking at him. “So are you and Veronica.”

“She came over on Christmas Day and we worked things out.”

“Good. I’m happy for you, Arch.”

“Yeah, me too. Happy for you, I mean.”

Betty glances at him. His brow is furrowed like he’s deep in thought. He doesn’t look happy.

They should talk about that night. They should debrief about everything that happened, support each other after what they went through together. No one else was there. No one else could ever understand what it was like for Betty to bury her best friend alive.

But if they talk about that it might lead to talking about the other thing. Which they should probably also talk about. But just thinking about it makes Betty’s stomach tighten. Besides, what is there to even say about it? It clearly meant nothing. The whole conversation would just be pointless and uncomfortable.

Archie opens his mouth to speak. Betty cuts him off.

“We should go on a double date! Now that we’re both happily in relationships again. I’ve missed that.”

Maybe her voice is a little too high, a little too eager.

“Sounds good, Betty.”

  They don’t see that much of each other after that. Sure, they see each other. But they never go on that double date, and they don’t walk to school together. They’re both too wrapped up in their significant others, trying to make sure whatever went wrong last time doesn’t go wrong this time.

Archie tries out for the wrestling team of all things. Betty wants to make fun of him for it, but she finds she never gets the opportunity. She doesn’t even see him through her window, and she assumes it’s because he’s spending most of his time with Veronica at the Pembrooke.

Then again, he’s not the only one who’s barely been around. Betty has spent a lot of time with Jughead in FP’s trailer, doing her best to be a doting girlfriend. She’s wracked by guilt for what she did with Archie, and she wants to tell Jughead, to be honest with him. But something holds her back.

Jughead even provides her with the perfect opportunity, admitting to her that he’d hooked up with Toni during the break up. But if the tiny twinge of jealousy Betty had felt at learning that information told her anything, it’s that Jughead would be ten times as hurt if Betty told him she’d hooked up with Archie of all people. Anyone else, anyone, and maybe it would be fine. But Archie? Jughead would never forgive either of them.

So, she buries her guilt and puts on the façade of the perfect girlfriend. Jughead doesn’t seem to notice how hard she’s trying. She thinks it should be easier, being his girlfriend. But she can’t seem to get Archie out of her head, no matter how hard she tries.

If she’s not with Jughead, she’s at the Blue & Gold office, running the paper entirely on her own. Jughead will write a story or two for her, and Kevin, and a few others, but no one else is really interested in actually running the paper.

It’s there that Archie finds her after school, a couple weeks into February, trying to work out some last-minute layout errors. He taps on the doorframe, and Betty looks up.

“Can I come in?”

“Sure,” Betty nods. “Sorry about the mess.”

Archie raises an eyebrow at her and she laughs. Like he cares about the mess. He pulls up a stool across the desk from her.

“What brings you here?” Betty asks.

Archie shrugs. “I feel like I’ve barely seen you lately.”

“Too busy with the wrestling team?” Betty teases.

“Ha. Shut up.”

“Why exactly are you doing wrestling?”

“Just… trying new things,” Archie says. Betty sees right through him. She gives him a disbelieving look. He sighs. “Ronnie thought it might… impress Mr Lodge.”

“And how is that working out for you?”

“Great, actually. Well, he likes me now.”

“But what about basketball?”

“What about it? I can’t do both.”

“But you love basketball.”

Archie shrugs. “Sometimes you have to make sacrifices for your relationship.”

Betty hides her disapproval, ducking her head to look at her layout again. Sure, sometimes you have to make sacrifices in a relationship. But should he really have to give up a sport he loves for one he hates, just to impress some criminal?

“Listen,” Archie says, breaking the silence. Betty looks up again. “I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately.”

“You have?” She feels her heart flutter at the words.

“I feel like I owe you an apology.”

“An apology? Why?”

“For… for what happened the night of the Black Hood. I let things get too far, and then we didn’t even talk about it and I just got back with Veronica without seeing how you felt about it. I’m sorry.”

Betty shakes her head, her eyes welling with tears. “Archie,” she says. “God, that’s nothing. You don’t owe me an apology for that. I buried you alive, I—I still think about it. I have nightmares about it sometimes. I’m so, so sorry, Arch, I—”

“Hey, listen to me,” Archie says fiercely. His eyes flash. “You don’t ever have to be sorry about that. Ever. I got into that grave willingly and I would do it again.”

“Even if I couldn’t save you?”

Archie’s lips curve up, just a little. “Even then. I would die for you, Betty Cooper.”

Betty doesn’t doubt it. Her heart swells, his love for her almost palpable. She hopes he knows how much she loves him too.

“I would never let you.”

“I know.”

There eyes meet, and Betty’s heart is thundering in her chest. Can he hear it? Can he feel the tension between them, or is it all in her head?

“Betty,” Archie says, his voice low. “That night—"

Betty swallows. His eyes rake over her, and she shivers. She knows it’s not all in her head. He feels it too. There’s something between them, some spark that ignited that night in the car.

Archie opens his mouth to continue.

“Don’t say anything,” Betty whispers. He can’t say it out loud. If he says it out loud it might mean something.

Archie looks disappointed, and Betty yearns to reach out and touch him, comfort him, hold him in her arms. She folds her hands in her lap tightly.

Archie nods shortly and leaves the room. Betty exhales as soon as he’s gone. Her hands are shaking, and her heart is pounding.

She groans, putting her head in her hands. It’s nothing, she tells herself. You don’t have feelings for Archie.

Except, she thinks maybe, actually, she does. And what’s worse, is she thinks he might actually have feelings for her too.

#barchie #barchie fanfiction #fanfic #multichap #canon divergence #s2 #ratede #blughead #verarchie #angst #smut #pining #mutual pining #t:guilty hearts #a:keiraknighted #a:barchiefanfiction #prompts filled

[barchiefanfiction]

Guilty Hearts - Chapter 2

by keiraknighted

AO3 // ff.net

Betty has a dream. Archie is in it.

They’re in the Blue & Gold office, and the conversation they have is similar to the one they’d actually had. Only this time, he kisses her. And then he undresses her slowly, and himself, and he touches her everywhere she wants to be touched.

She wakes up breathing heavy, aching to be touched for real, her panties soaking.

Jughead stirs beside her, and Betty sighs, feeling desperately guilty.

She tries to tell herself it was just a dream. She can’t help what she dreams. It’s the same as if she had a sex dream about some random celebrity.

But she can’t really defend closing her eyes and letting the fantasy continue, though she’s wide awake and her boyfriend is right next to her.

It’s just that though, isn’t it? A fantasy. Nothing is ever going to come of it, so what harm is it? Jughead never has to know.

 On the first Sunday of Spring, Betty wakes up to sunlight streaming in through her window, and birds chirping outside. It’s going to be a mild March.

She gets up and pads down the hallway, only to find her mother changing the sheets in Polly’s room, though Polly has been gone for months now.

“Mom?” Betty asks, hovering in the doorway to her sister’s old room. Alice looks up. “What are you doing?”

“I know no one has slept in here, but that’s exactly the reason the sheets need changing. Everything in here is covered in dust,” Alice says.

Betty shakes her head. She’s sure her mother has gone crazy.

“Besides, Archie will hardly want to sleep in a bed covered with flowers,” Alice continues.

Betty squints at her mom. “Archie?”

Alice fluffs one of the pillows. “Didn’t he tell you? Fred is going away for a week and Archie is staying here.”

“Here?” Betty chokes. She can’t imagine why. He’s perfectly capable of being on his own for a week, and even if he wasn’t, Betty would have thought Veronica was the obvious choice for who to stay with.

“I was surprised too, Betty,” Alice rolls her eyes. “Why it had to be here I’ll never know, but Fred was quite insistent. And we do have a spare room,” she concedes.

“Okay,” Betty nods. She’s not entirely sure how to feel about this. An entire week of living with Archie.

It’s not a bad thing. She likes spending time with Archie. But with the feelings she’s been having lately, she’s not sure it’s a great idea to be in such close proximity to him for an extended period of time.

He arrives with a bag and his guitar an hour later. Betty had thought he’d kind of given up music for the time being.

“Where should I put this stuff?” Archie asks.

“We’ve put you in Polly’s old room,” Alice tells him. “Betty will take you.”

Of course, Betty is aware that Archie knows exactly where Polly’s room is, he’s been in their house enough times over the years. She takes him there anyway.

“It’s good to see you with your guitar again,” Betty says as Archie dumps his things on the floor.

“My dad said the same thing,” Archie says.

There’s a moment of awkward silence as Archie surveys the room and Betty surveys Archie. Or maybe it’s not awkward at all. Perhaps she’s imagining things.

“So, I guess you’re going to be living here for a week,” Betty says.

“I guess so,” Archie nods. “It’s okay, right?”

“Yeah, of course,” Betty hastens to assure him. She hesitates. “Random question. Why here? Why not Veronica or Jughead? Or just staying at home?”

Archie shrugs. “My dad didn’t want me to stay home alone. He said it’s not safe, even with the Black Hood gone. And your place is the closest to school and home.”

“Okay,” Betty nods. “Well, I’ve got some homework to do, so I’ll talk to you later, okay?”

Archie nods, and Betty leaves him to get settled in.

  Betty has another dream about Archie. Well, this one is more of a nightmare.

She’s back in the cemetery, a gun pointed at her head. She piles dirt into the grave, and it hits the coffin with a sickening thud each time. She knows Archie is in there. Only this time she can’t save him. She fills the grave. The Black Hood shoots himself in the head. Covered in blood, Betty digs through six feet of dirt with her hands. When she finally gets to the coffin, inside is Archie’s lifeless corpse. She clutches at the body, crying and screaming his name.

Someone shakes her awake.

“Betty! Betty!”

Her eyes fly open and she jolts upright. Her heart pounds and she’s breathing heavy and still in her stomach is that sick feeling of guilt. But Archie isn’t dead.

“I’m right here,” he says, his voice soothing. He sits down beside her on her bed, dressed in just a pair of boxers.

“Archie?” she says, her voice croaky.

“Yeah, I’m here, it’s okay,” he says.

Betty nods, bursting into tears. Archie wraps his arms around her and rubs her back while she cries into his shoulder.

“You were dead,” she sobs. “I buried you and when I dug you up you were dead.”

“It was just a nightmare,” Archie tells her. He lets her cry into his shoulder for the better part of half an hour. Eventually she calms down and pulls away, suddenly aware of how he’s almost naked and how he’s warm and he has this comforting smell that makes her a little nostalgic.

Betty wipes tears from her cheeks, Archie watching her, concerned. “How are you okay?” she asks. “I have nightmares about that night three or four times a week. Every time my phone rings I think it’s going to be him, even though I know he’s dead. I know. But I still feel like any minute he’s going to come back and force me to do things. Kill more people. And you seem fine.”

Archie swallows. “I’m not fine,” he tells her. He slips his hand into hers. “I lied before. About why I’m staying here. My dad was fine with me staying at home by myself. But I couldn’t bear to be alone for a week. Every noise makes me think the Black Hood is breaking into my house. It’s bad enough when my dad is there, but I think I’d go crazy if I had to be there alone. And I have nightmares too.”

Betty listens to all this, watching him. Her heart aches for him. He doesn’t look at her while he speaks, instead focusing on their joined hands.

“What are your nightmares about?” Betty asks.

Archie shrugs. “Mostly about my dad being shot.”

“I’m sorry.”

He meets her eyes then. “I feel scared, all the time, and I hate it. I didn’t want to admit it to anyone.”

“No one would think less of you.”

Archie doesn’t seem convinced. “That’s only part of the reason I’m staying here. It’s not just the Black Hood I’m afraid of. It’s Hiram Lodge. I think he’s a killer, Betty. And he wants me to do things…”

Betty squeezes his hand. “I’m here. I’m here for you. Don’t let him manipulate you, Arch. You have such a big heart and I know you will do anything for Veronica. But don’t let the Lodges change who you are.”

Archie smiles. His thumb gently strokes the back of her hand, and the feather light touch gets Betty’s stomach fluttering. She should pull away, but she doesn’t. She just watches him caress her hand like it’s nothing. She feels him watching her, and she looks up, meeting his eyes.

“I should go back to bed,” Archie says, his voice hoarser than it had been previously. “Are you going to be okay?”

“Yeah,” Betty nods. She wants to ask him to stay. She knows he wants her to ask him. He stands, only dropping her hand when he can’t reach it any longer.

“Arch?” Betty says hesitantly, as he reaches the door. He turns back. She opens her mouth. She almost tells him to stay. “Goodnight,” she says instead.

Archie smiles. “Goodnight, Betty.”

He closes the door behind him and Betty lies back down. Somehow, she knows she won’t sleep. After a minute of consideration, she folds her covers back and slips out of bed, padding down the hallway to Polly’s old room. She doesn’t bother knocking, just pushes the door open.

If Archie is surprised to see her he doesn’t show it. He doesn’t say anything, just shifts over, so there’s room on the bed for her. Betty closes the door and walks over to the bed, getting under the covers beside him. He puts his arms around her silently, and she’s asleep in minutes.

  Living with Archie doesn’t mean spending 24/7 with him. They walk to and from school together on Monday, but they both have different routines in the morning and after school.

Betty is already basically ready before Archie even gets out of bed. He uses his fifteen minutes to do his hair and scoff down two bowls of cereal.

After school, Betty heads straight to her room to do homework, while Archie plucks at his guitar in the next room. She thinks he must be writing something. She can’t really make out any lyrics or even much of the melody, but she finds the strumming soothing.

Betty helps her mom cook dinner while Archie goes for a run. Betty swears that boy has some kind of internal clock that lets him know when food is about to be served, because they’re just about to dish up when Betty hears the front door open again.

“Dinner’s ready!” Betty calls, and moments later she hears Archie enter the kitchen, panting. Betty turns to make fun of him for his impeccable timing, but when she looks at him, she finds the words die on her tongue. She probably shouldn’t be rendered speechless by a shirtless Archie Andrews anymore, after all, he’s shirtless a lot. But something about his messy hair and his sweaty chest gets her hot all over. Yeah, she really shouldn’t be turned on by this.

“Is it okay if I have a quick shower before we eat? I promise I won’t be long,” Archie says. He meets Betty’s eye and she nods, because apparently that’s all she’s capable of right now.

“That’s fine, Archie,” Alice says. Archie nods and heads upstairs. Alice gives Betty a suspicious frown, and Betty can feel her face turning bright red. She busies herself with tossing the salad.

Archie is fully dressed when he returns downstairs five minutes later. He joins Betty in the kitchen and helps her dish up the spaghetti. Betty can’t look at him. He may have a shirt on now but he’s still all damp and sexy, and he smells really good.

In any case, the damage has already been done. He’s got her all flustered and hot and she can’t stop thinking about him without his clothes on.

He sits next to her at the dinner table, his knee pressed against hers. She could move. It wouldn’t be very hard to just shift slightly so they aren’t touching. But she doesn’t.

“This is delicious, thanks, Mrs Cooper,” Archie says, twirling another mouthful of spaghetti onto his fork.

“It’s just spaghetti, Archie,” Alice rolls her eyes, but Betty thinks her mom looks pleased. Archie glances at Betty and grins. He thinks he’s such a charmer. She shakes her head, but she smiles anyway.

“Archie, are you singing at the Spring Fete on the weekend?” Alice asks.

“Yeah,” Archie nods. He moves his leg abruptly so their knees no longer touch. “With Veronica.”

Archie glances at Betty, and she’s plunged back into guilt. She reminds herself she hasn’t done anything wrong. She just has to get a handle on her thoughts and emotions before they get too out of control.

After dinner, Archie offers to do the washing up. Betty offers to help him but he waves her away, and Betty retreats to her bedroom. She tries to finish up her homework but she can’t seem to concentrate. She’s still on edge from before, and her body is still all tingly. She bites her lip, glancing at the door.

She crosses the room and makes sure the door is firmly locked. She settles back onto her bed and gingerly slips her hand into her panties. She’s soaking wet, like she knew she would be.

She lets her finger slowly trail along her slit a couple of times, and then she circles her clit, feeling it throb. She bites her lip and closes her eyes, trying to conjure up an image of Jughead. Jughead is sexy, there’s no doubt about it. He’s got that dangerous brooding thing going on, and damn it if he doesn’t look good in a leather jacket.

But the image doesn’t last long. As Betty lets her fingers work her clit, her thoughts inevitably slide to Archie, all sweaty and muscular. Betty whines as she rubs her clit, imagining it’s Archie’s hand and not her own. She imagines him on top of her, kissing her all over her body, fingering her like she’s fingering herself now.

Even as she nears climax, she knows it’s wrong. He’s her best friend’s boyfriend. Her boyfriend’s best friend. Could it get any more fucked up than that? And yet the guilt is nothing compared to her arousal, her desperate need to come, and it’s only the fantasy of him that gets her there.

She lies there, breathing hard, her hand still in her panties, fingers covered in her own juices. The guilt really hits her then. It isn’t fair. She was over him! She was perfectly happy and in love with Jughead, her crush on Archie dissolved to nothing.

Except apparently it hadn’t. Apparently, she had just buried it so deep she’d forgotten about it, but now it’s back, worse than ever.

She’s a terrible person. A bad friend, and an even worse girlfriend. She shouldn’t want him. And yet she does, she does, she does.

#barchie #barchie fanfiction #fanfic #prompts filled #multichap #ratede #blughead #verarchie #canon divergence #s2 #pining #mutual pining #angst #fluff #hurtcomfort #smut #bed sharing #t:guilty hearts #a:keiraknighted #a:barchiefanfiction

[barchiefanfiction]

can you do a prompt where betty and archie go on a best friends vacation and finally talk about everything and archie being super overprotective over betty in a big city

five souvenirs from Archie and Betty’s trip to NYC

by @kinselllas

archie’s white button down

It starts with game of Truth or Dare. They’re strolling down the sidewalk downtown when Archie prompts her with “Truth or Dare” and she only snorts in response. They had traveled together before, as children, but always had chaperones present. Archie always wanted to play truth or dare, and Betty always went along with it, because it was Archie and, well—

“How old are you?” she asks, but he raises his eyebrows anyway.

He’s waiting for her decision.

She rolls her eyes and says, “Dare.”

A smirk plays on Archie’s lips as he contemplates his command, taking in their surroundings. He doesn’t have to give it much thought.

“I dare you to jump into that fountain,” he says, pointing to a large decorate fountain a block away.

See, Betty’s problem is that she’s always had too much pride to turn down one of Archie’s dares, and she always always answers his truths. As they approach the fountain, the floor is covered in shimmering coins, a million wishes left behind. Water is shooting from a few of the statues and really, there’s no one around so she has no choice.

Betty swallows, a nervous thought, before stepping into the freezing cold water. She’s showered with rain from the fountain and gives Archie a proud grin. He never expects her to go through with the dares, and she almost always does. He gives her a small, approving nod.

“And are you going to join me?” She asks, dress soaked from the water.

“No way,” Archie shakes his head, “You can get arrested for that.”

He gives her playful grin and Betty bites the inside of her cheek, contemplating her next move. She holds her hand out to him, and huffs her frustration.

“Great,” she says, an eye roll. “Can you help me out?”

Archie offers her his hand and Betty takes it, stepping onto the ledge of the fountain and jumping into his arms. He doesn’t hesitate catching her, and as he does her wet clothes seep into his own dry ones. Archie erupts into a fit of laughter, dropping her to her feet and taking in his soaking clothes.

“That was a good one, Cooper,” he concedes, and they fall in stride down the sidewalk again.

When the night breeze picks up, Archie pulls his own shirt off and drapes it over Betty’s shoulders.

She packs it in her suitcase when they leave.

a coaster from holland bar

Betty slides into a stiff high-top and props herself up on the bar. Archie’s chest rests behind her back, his arms on either side of her. Although she’s sporting her best push-up bra, Archie insists she put her  breasts away so he can order their drinks on his own.

“Coors Light,” he says, confidently. “And—“

“Bourbon,” Betty finishes, “Neat.”

Archie meets her gaze, and she thinks he’s going to laugh. Her order so unexpected it’s almost humorous. But he swallows it, and throws his card down on the bar. The bartender eyes them both before taking the card and swiping it through the machine. She takes a careful sip, and it burns all the  way down.

“Never took you for a bourbon type of girl,” he says, a grin.  

“Tall Boy makes me drink them,” she shrugs, “At Whyte Wyrm.”

She swears she catches him rolling his eyes then, and excuses himself to bathroom. Betty’s sitting comfortably on her own when a couple of guys approach, hair slicked back with gel. One of them is wearing thick rimmed glasses and suspenders. The music is blaring around them, but she can still make out their voices.

“Hey, blondie,” one says, a smirk. “Buy you a drink?”

Betty shrugs, a nod to her almost full glass. “I’m good,” she says over the music.

“Let’s finish that one,” the other guy says, stepping closer. “And start on number two.”

Betty feels her muscles tense, body stiffening under their gazes. They’re too close, and it’s too loud, too hot. One of the men puts his hand on her waist and Betty jumps, pulling away.

“I’m really not interested,” she says as sweetly as she can, and the other corners her against the bar.

He tells her, “It’s just a drink.”

“She said no,” Archie steps in front of them, blocking Betty from either one.

They both jump back slightly at his tone, and even Betty is a little taken aback by his authority. Her stomach stirs at the gesture, somewhere between want and affection.

“Didn’t know she was taken,” one of the guys says and Archie is practically on top of her body.

“Well,” he shrugs, “She is.”

They grumble a few words before stumbling away, and Betty is eternally grateful for the distraction. She takes another sip from her bourbon and feels the burn slide down her chest. Archie gives her a wordless nod and she meets it with her own. He drags her out of the bar and Betty follows without question.  

They’re standing in the alley when Betty asks, “Truth or Dare.”

Archie says, “Truth,” but he’s gauging her reaction.

Betty swallows at the sight of him, the genuine affection in his eyes.

“Truth,” she repeats, “Do you wish you were on this trip with Veronica?”

Archie doesn’t answer, but he’s shaking his head, stepping towards her until her back hits the brick wall of the alley. Her tongue darts out to wet her lips and Archie watches, gaze locked in place. He leans forward, eyes on her mouth when his phone starts buzzing, a loud ring in their ears.

Archie laughs, glancing up at the stars.

“It’s Ronnie,” he says quietly, before putting the phone to his ear. “Hey, babe.”

Betty forces a smile, it is what it is.

travel sized bottle of champagne

They’re sitting on the floor of their hotel room when Archie says, “Truth or Dare” and Betty rolls her eyes. They’ve probably drank the equivalent of two bottles of wine and Betty feels warm, happy. She’s in her white, fluffy robe, legs crossed.

“Truth or dare,” he repeats, expectantly. They can never quite leave this place.  

“Okay,” Betty concedes, softly. “Truth.”

“Did that kiss mean anything?”

The room falls silent, and Archie’s gaze has fixated on her mouth, just waiting. Betty doesn’t know how to answer, finds herself very frozen in place. He’s so calm, so patient, but still expectant. Her phone vibrates on the nightstand, but she ignores it. This trip was supposed to be only theirs. She waits until the buzzing stops before she speaks again.

“Of course it did,” she says.

Archie only nods in response.

empire state building keychain

Archie keeps it tucked in his pocket the entire time they’re dragging themselves up the stairs. He watches as her legs take each step, and finds himself a little too focused on her ass. She’s still Betty, but she’s also his Betty, and he can’t quite let that go. It’s not until they’re at the top that he feels the rush of affection hit like a load of bricks. With a bunch of couples surrounding them, he pictures what his life would be like if Betty was that person for him- if he could just lean forward and kiss her right now.

“What are you thinking about?” she asks, voice gentle.

Archie’s hand flies to his back pocket, feeling the Empire State figurine digging into his fabric. He should just give it to her now and play it off like it’s nothing. They’re friends, and they’ll always be friends. It’s probably a good time to accept that.

Yet, there’s a part of Archie that wants to hold onto this, keep the keychain in his pocket and remember this for later. There’s a part of him that can’t let go of the fact that this might mean something later.

That’s why he nearly freezes when Betty’s fingers grip at his pockets and she slides the figurine out of his jeans, admiring it with her gaze. Her lips curve into a smile, but it’s a little sad.

“For Veronica?” She asks, seemingly casual.

Archie smiles, but he’s shaking his head.

“It’s for you, Betty.”

She slides the ring onto her finger and admires the building, a little in awe of the gesture. A few couples make out around them, and Archie fights the urge to spring forward and do the same. His phone vibrates in his pocket, and he lets it.  

black ray bans

They’re all the way past security when Betty tells him that she’s going to be queen of the Serpents with Jughead. Archie nearly thrashes everything in sight, but controls himself for Betty’s sake. He can’t get over the fact that he accepted the class president position only for Betty to become a serpent queen before his eyes.

“So we go back to Riverdale,” she shrugs, “Then what?”

Archie swallows, stepping closer to her. “Well, what do you want?”

Betty’s shoulders raise in a shrug, because she really doesn’t know what she’s looking for when they return to their home town. Archie will go back to Ronnie, back to his role as class president. Betty will return to Jughead and take on her new position as Serpent Queen. It’s quiet in the terminal around them, but forces a buzzing in her ears.

Archie seems to read her thoughts, it’s the only time they have left. He takes a step forward and her back hits the cool white tile. Her lashes flutter closed, and Archie’s lips find hers. Betty releases a breath she didn’t know she was holding, doesn’t know how long it’s been trapped in her chest.

His hands fall to her waist, and she presses against his body, completely forgetting where she is and who she’s with. Archie seems to share the same sentiment, hands tangling in her hair and gripping at the black sunglasses trapped in her blonde locks.

“Well,” she repeats, “What do you want?”

Archie swallows, teeth sinking into his bottom lip as he takes her in.

“Truth or dare,” he says, eyes on her mouth.

Betty bites back a smile, meeting his gaze.

“Dare,” she mouths. Her sunglasses slide down from her hair and rest on the bridge of her nose, anticipating Archie’s next move. He’s close enough that she can feel his chest heave against her own, wanting. Soon, they’ll be home and it’ll be like the whole trip never happened.

“Kiss me again, Betty.”

Betty’s lips curve into a smile, certain that Archie thinks she won’t follow through with the dare. Her phone is vibrating against her thigh, and she lets it go, pushing up on her toes to press her lips against his again. Archie sighs into her mouth, and his forehead hits the plastic of her glasses.

“BOARDING D1,” the attendant calls from the counter, “ZONE D1.”

Archie yanks aways from Betty so fast it leaves her a little stunned, fingers coming up to rest on her bruised mouth. They both look like kids caught in the act, maybe because they are, and she follows Archie to their seats in silence. It’s not until they’re up in the air, and his gaze is locked on the seat in front of him that she says,

“Truth or dare,”

And he says, “Dare.”

#barchie #barchie fanfiction #fanfic #short oneshot #ratedna #canon divergence #verarchie #blughead #angst #fluff #cheating #vacation #mutual pining #prompts filled #t:five souvenirs #a:barchiefanfiction #a:kinselllas #truth or dare

[barchiefanfiction]

prompt where jughead dies at the end of 2.20 and archie comforts betty until months and months later as she slowly gets over jughead’s death, both archie and betty develop feelings for each other?

Laying Upon the Dead With You

by @elsiestubbs

AO3 // ff.net

It’s raining the day of Jughead’s funeral. Not pouring,nothing that dramatic. Just a constant drizzle that seems like it will neverlet up, like it’s some kind of sign of how life is going to feel from now on.Without Jughead.

Archie stands between Veronica and his Dad at the service,his hands folded in front of him. Hermione stands behind Veronica, but Hiram isnowhere to be seen. Across the shiny black coffin adorned with flowers, Bettystands with her mom and sister. Droplets of water cling to her hair, themoisture causing tiny curls to form around her face. Her eyes are rimmed red,like she hasn’t stopped crying for the past three days. Alice has a blackumbrella but Betty stands just in front of it. Archie wonders if she’s evennoticed it’s raining.

The rest of Jughead’s friends and family are gatheredaround, everyone dressed in black, though that isn’t unusual for the Serpents.Grey clings to them, the sky just as morbid as the congregation. The red roseson the coffin are the only splash of colour that can be seen. Blood red. Itmakes Archie want to vomit.

They gather at Pop’s afterwards. It’s supposed to be acelebration of Jughead’s life, where people reminisce and tell stories aboutJughead. Archie tries, he really does. He can tell FP is trying too, but it’stoo soon. Maybe someday they’ll be able to talk about it, but not today.

Veronica, on the other hand, has no trouble. Archie isthankful for the easy way she takes control, putting on Jughead’s favouritesongs, asking people about their favourite memories of Jughead. It’s a weightoff Archie’s shoulders, knowing he doesn’t have to be the one to do that.

He finds Betty sitting by herself, tucked away in a cornerof a booth, staring out the window, miles away. She’s not crying now, but herface is stained with tears. Archie slides into the booth beside her and sheturns to face him.

“How are you doing?” he asks. Stupid question. Betty shakesher head.

“I keep thinking it’s not real, you know?” she says. Hervoice is hoarse. “That he’s going to walk right through that door and wonderwhat the hell we’re all so sad about.”

“I know. Me too.”

Betty presses her lips together and blinks back tears. “Howam I going to go on without him?”

Archie shakes his head. He doesn’t have an answer for her,not sure there is one. Instead he offers his arms and Betty lets him embraceher. Words have never been Archie’s strong suit, but perhaps its enough for nowto just be there to stroke Betty’s hair while she cries into his shoulder.

Betty doesn’t come to school for a week. Archie can’t blameher. Her boyfriend dead and her Dad arrested in one night. She needs time torecover. Still, he worries about her. Veronica tells him Betty needs time andspace. Time, sure, Archie gets it. He’s still processing himself. Sometimeshe’ll think he’s fine, but then he notices an empty space where Jughead shouldbe, as if everyone is still leaving room for him. It’s like a punch in the gutevery time.

Space, on the other hand? Archie isn’t so sure. He’s sure itcan’t be good for her to be alone in that house all the time. He tries to callher but she doesn’t pick up. He tries to catch her attention through theirbedroom windows, but her curtains are shut. He sends her a text, and sheresponds, telling him she’s fine, but she’d rather be alone right now.

Archie respects her wishes, but he still worries about her.

Veronica practically lives at his house now. She can’t standto be around her father, and since she spent all her money on buying the WhyteWyrm and subsequently trading it for Pop’s, she has nowhere else to go. Notthat Archie minds. He’s glad to have her there. He’s not sure he could copewith sleeping alone.

She doesn’t walk home from school with him though. Archietakes a detour every afternoon to the cemetery to visit Jughead’s grave. Hesits there for a few minutes and tells him the mundane things that happened atschool that day. He doesn’t bring flowers or anything, but there are alwaysfresh ones there. Archie assumes they’re from Betty.

After a week of not seeing her, and barely hearing from her,he decides enough is enough. There’s no way being alone is what’s best for her.She needs her friends. He tries to convince Veronica to come with him, butVeronica declines, saying she doesn’t want to overwhelm her.

Alice opens the door.

“Archie,” she says, and she doesn’t exactly smile, but shedoesn’t exactly frown either. She lets him inside. “Betty’s upstairs in herroom. Perhaps you can convince her to eat something.”

Archie nods. Alice disappears into the kitchen and returnsholding a plate with a sandwich, and a glass of juice in the other hand. Archietakes them from her and heads upstairs. He doesn’t have enough free hands toknock on her bedroom door, so he just pushes on it with his foot, and it swingsopen.

The room is dark, all the curtain closed. Archie can vaguelymake out Betty’s form, curled up on the bed, huddled underneath her doona.

“Go away, Mom,” Betty says. “I told you I’m not hungry.”

“It’s Archie.”

Betty doesn’t move. Archie kicks the door shut and walksover to her. He sets the plate and glass down on her nightstand and sits besideher on the bed.

“What are you doing here?” Betty asks.

“I was worried about you.”

“Well, as you can see, I’m fine.”

“Betty—”

She sits up. Her face is hollow, haunted. Her eyes are red,her hair greasy.

“I’m fine, Arch,” she says. “Really.”

“I don’t think you are.”

“I just need some more time to grieve,” she whispers.

“You need to eat,” Archie says gently. “And you need to getout and get some sun. And you need to see your friends. We’re here for you.”

“I know, Arch.”

“Betty, if you need to talk—”

“I know,” shesays. “I know.”

Archie frowns, concerned. As if to show him she’s fine,Betty picks up the sandwich and takes a bite. She chews slowly, and Archiewatches her until she swallows.

“Do you want me to go?” Archie asks. Betty nods. Archie patsher knee and stands up. She wants him gone, so he has to go. But he vows tocome back tomorrow. “Come back to school soon. We all miss you.”

The sound of his phone vibrating against his bedside tablewakes him in the middle of the night. He reaches for it, squinting at thebrightness of the screen as he checks it in the dark. Betty. Veronica stirsbeside him.

“Betty?” he answers, softly but urgently. His stomach is inknots.

“Archie,” shesobs. Archie immediately untangles himself from Veronica and shoots out of bed.

“What’s wrong?”

“You were right. I’m not okay, I—” she stops. “Can I comeover?”

Archie glances at Veronica, lying fast asleep in his bed.“I’ll come to you.”

He lets himself into the Cooper house with the spare key andtries to be as quiet as possible as he ascends the stairs. The scene in Betty’sbedroom is much the same as that afternoon. Only now, he can hear Betty quietlysobbing. He’s across the room in two quick strides, pulling her into his arms. Bettycries into his shoulder, sobs wracking her body.

“I miss him so much,” she says.

“I know,” Archie says, rubbing her back. He misses Jugheadtoo.

“I can’t stand being here in this house, everything eitherreminds me of Jug or my dad. But I can’t bring myself to go anywhere either. Idon’t want everyone looking at me, talking about me. Everybody probably hatesme because of my dad. Or they feel sorry for me because of Jug—” she cutsherself off with another loud sob.

“I can’t eat, I can’t sleep,” she says. Tears take over, andArchie pulls her tighter.

“Hey. It’s going to be okay,” he tells her, though he knowsit doesn’t mean anything.

“Will you stay here tonight?” Betty sniffles.

“As long as you need.”

When he checks his phone the following morning he has fourmissed calls from Veronica. Betty is still fast asleep so he gets up and takeshis phone out into the hall, almost running into Alice.

“Mrs Cooper,” he says nervously. She seems surprised but notangry.

“Archie,” she nods. “Is Betty—”

“She’s asleep,” Archie tells her. Alice breathes a sigh ofrelief. For the first time Archie notices that Alice also looks like she hasn’tslept in days.

“Are you okay, Mrs Cooper?” he asks her.

“I’m fine, Archie,” she says, patting his shoulder. Shegives him a tight-lipped smile before heading downstairs. Archie’s phone startsbuzzing again and he quickly answers it.

“Ronnie—” he starts.

“Finally!” she snaps. “Where are you? I’ve been worriedsick.”

“I’m at Betty’s. She called me last night.”

“Oh.”

“I was right, Ronnie. She needs us,” Archie says.

“She needs you.I’m glad you were there for her. But next time would you leave a note orsomething?” Veronica sighs.

“Yeah, of course,” Archie says, feeling guilty. “Sorry,Ronnie.”

He ends the call and turns to find Betty standing in thedoorway behind him.

“You’re up,” he says. Betty nods.

“Was that Veronica?”

“Yeah. I forgot to tell her where I was going last night,”says Archie. He pauses. “Are you going to come to school today?”

Betty bites her lip. She shakes her head. “Just… just today.I promise I’ll come back on Monday.”

Archie nods. “I’ll be right there by your side.”

Betty calls again that night. Veronica wakes up this time.

“Was that Betty again?”

“Yeah.” He gets out of bed and throws a shirt on. “Youshould come this time.”

Veronica hesitates. “No,” she says. “It’s better if it’sjust you.”

Archie frowns, but he doesn’t fight her. It’s almost as ifVeronica is actually avoiding Betty,not just giving her space. But he doesn’t have time to deal with that rightnow. He goes to Betty, like he did the night before, and immediately crawlsinto bed beside her, wrapping his arms around her, her back to his chest.

“Thanks for coming,” she whispers. “Is Veronica—”

“She knows I’m here,” Archie says. “It’s okay.” He leavesout the part where Veronica didn’t want to come with him.

“Does it make it easier? Having someone?” Betty asks.

“A little bit,” Archie says. “I still have nightmaressometimes.”

“Me too. That’s why I stopped sleeping. But last night wasbetter.”

“Glad I could help.”

The third night, she’s crying again. She doesn’t sayanything as he crawls into bed beside her, but she buries her head into hischest. Her breathing slowly becomes more even and the tears eventually stop.

“I’m a terrible person,” Betty whispers.

“Of course you’re not,” Archie says immediately, though hehas no clue what she’s referring to. “Is this because of your dad?”

Betty shakes her head. “I haven’t been to see him since thefuneral.”

“You don’t have to,” Archie says. “You don’t owe himanything.”

“Not my dad. Jughead.”

That surprises Archie. “Why?” he blurts out, alreadyregretting the word. But Betty doesn’t seem to mind.

“Seeing his name on that headstone…” Betty swallows. “Itmakes it too real. And it’s not like he’s really there. He’s gone.” Hervoice breaks on the word gone.

“You’re right,” Archie says slowly. “He’s not there. Notreally. But it’s nice to have somewhere to go, to talk to him. I like to thinkhe can hear me.”

“You talk to him?”

“Yeah. Just boring stuff. Do you think I’m crazy?”

“No,” Betty says. “I want to talk to him too.”

“We could go now.”

“Now?”

“Why not?”

“It’s the middle of the night. They lock the gates atnight.”

“So we’ll climb over them.”

Betty pauses.

“Okay,” she agrees.

They walk to the cemetery in near silence, their footstepson the pavement the only noise they make. The rest of the night is quiet aroundthem, except for the trees rustling in the slight breeze. Archie glances atBetty occasionally, to make sure she’s okay. She’s quiet, but she’s not crying.That’s something.

Archie scales the gate first, and it rattles with everymovement.

“Shh!” Betty hisses up at him. “We’ll get caught.”

“It’s a lot harder than it looks,” Archie says. He reachesthe top and clambers over. His foot gets caught as he tries to swing it overand he falls to the other side with a thud.

“Ow,” he says.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” he says. And then, for whatever reason, he startslaughing. He thinks it might be the first time he’s laughed since Jughead died.

“I think you might have hit your head,” Betty says, climbingover the gate after him. She drops to the ground beside him with much moregrace than he had managed. She offers her hand and he takes it, letting herhelp him up. He surveys the darkened graveyard.

“We should have brought a flashlight,” he realises. Bettypulls a tiny one out of her jacket pocket and switches it on. Archie grins.That’s the Betty he knows.

Betty leads the way to Jughead’s grave. Archie sticks closebehind her. It’s not that he’s afraid or anything, but the way the headstoneskind of loom in the shadows creeps him out. He’s wondering why he suggestedthis.

They find Jughead’s resting place and Betty shines theflashlight across the headstone.

Here Lies Forsythe“Jughead” Jones III

Beloved son and treasuredfriend

2002 – 2018

Archie swallows. He’s read the words enough times. Theynever seem to do the man he knew justice.

The light falls on the bunch of fresh lilies that lie on thegrave.

“Did you leave these?” Betty asks. Archie shakes his head.Up until now, Archie had assumed the flowers that constantly adorned Jughead’sgrave were the work of Betty. Perhaps FP has been leaving flowers. It seems outof character, but it is his son after all.

Betty sits on the grass beside the headstone, and Archie joinsher. She traces a finger over Jughead’s name before switching off theflashlight.

“Jughead…” she starts. Her voice wobbles. Archie reaches outand takes her hand. He gives it a comforting squeeze. Betty takes a deep breathand tries again.

Archie isn’t sure how long they sit there, Betty’s hand inhis as she tells Jughead about how much she misses him, how much she wishes hewere here. She doesn’t cry until she’s nearly finished, and she instinctivelyleans towards Archie, letting him bear the weight of her tears.

They walk home hand in hand.

Betty returns to school on Monday as she promised, andArchie accompanies her, as he promised. Veronica claims she has to be at schoolearly.

People give Betty looks of pity and ask her how she’s doing.She tells them all she’s fine, but her smile is not even a little convincing.Everyone is delicate with her. Except Veronica. Veronica barely speaks to herat all.

The three of them sit together at lunch, but Archie doesmost of the talking. Come home time, Veronica says she needs to talk toPrincipal Weatherbee about something, and Archie and Betty walk home withouther.

“How are you doing?” Archie asks Betty on their way home. Bettyshrugs. “As bad as you thought?”

“No,” Betty sighs. “You were right. It’s better to be out ofthe house.”

Archie nods as they reach his house. “Call me if you needme,” he says. Betty gives him a half smile, slightly more genuine than the oneshe’d been giving everyone else all day.

“Thanks, Arch.”

Veronica gets home twenty minutes later. She’s lookingguilty, like she already knows what Archie’s going to ask her.

“Why are you avoiding Betty?”

“I’m not.”

“You are. And whenshe needs her friends the most. What gives?”

Veronica looks pained. Her eyes flutter closed and her mouthforms a tight line. She sighs. “I feel guilty,” she finally says.

“Guilty?”

“Yes!” she bursts out. “What if she blames me, Archie?”

“For… Jughead’s death?” Archie says wondrously. How she cameto that conclusion he can’t fathom. Veronica nods. “But that was Penny and theGhoulies… how could you possibly think…?”

“You think my father wasn’t behind this?” she snorts. Archiegapes at her. He licks his lips.

“Even—even if that’s true,” Archie says, and he’s notconvinced it isn’t true, “that’s notyou. You aren’t your father. You would never condone—”

“That’s the thing, Archie, I did condone this! Not this specifically, but did I not help myfather every step of the way? Was I not his fiercest supporter up to thismoment?”

“If you believe that, then you must believe it’s partly myfault too.”

“No, Archiekins,” she says softly. “It was never you. Myfather did whatever he could to manipulate you. And I let him,” she says,disgusted.

“Ronnie—” Archie starts. He can’t let her think that any ofthis is her fault. She would never, neverhurt someone the way Hiram has hurt people. She’s good, this Archie knows.

“It will just take some time, Archie,” Veronica says. “I’llgive her some space and then eventually, hopefullywe can be friends again. But you need to be there for her.”

Archie nods. He had no intention of doing otherwise.

“In the meantime, I’ll just keep making sure there arealways flowers on his grave,” Veronica says.

“That’s you?”

She nods. “It’s the least I can do.”

Archie doesn’t hear from Betty for a couple of nights. Theywalk to school together and hang out at school together, but she doesn’t callhim crying in the middle of the night. She looks tired, but Archie doesn’tcomment on it.

She doesn’t call him, until she does, nights later, hervoice a hoarse whisper.

“Sorry to call,” she says as Archie takes the call out intothe hallway. “I can’t sleep.”

“Do you want me to come over?”

“I don’t want to be in this house. Can I come to you?”

“Veronica’s here.”

A beat. “Oh. Of course. I’m sorry, I—”

“Meet me outside in five minutes.”

“Okay.”

He sneaks back into his room and dresses quietly, then headsdownstairs, grabbing his dad’s car keys as he slips out the front door. Bettyis already standing in his driveway when he gets outside. He waves the keys ather and she meets him at the car, climbing into the passenger seat while Archiehops into the driver’s side. He starts the car.

“Where are we going?” she asks him.

“Wherever you like,” he says, backing out of the driveway. Shesays nothing, so he just drives. He heads out of town, passing no one else onthe road as he drives. They stay silent until the lights of the town are wellbehind them, where Betty turns the radio on.

“Feeling any better?” Archie asks her.

“Honestly, I felt better as soon as I heard your voice. Butbeing out of that house helps too.”

Archie assumes the hatred of the house is more to do withher father being a serial killer than with Jughead being gone. But Jugheadbeing gone can’t help.

“It must be lonely.”

“Yeah…” Betty sighs. “I think I could deal with my dad beingthe black hood, if only I had Jughead to help me through it.”

Archie swallows. “I know it’s not the same, but… you knowI’m always here, right? Whenever you want to talk about your dad, or Jughead.Or whatever. I’m here.”

Betty almost smiles. “I know. Thanks, Arch. Not right now.I’m kind of exhausted.”

“Have you been sleeping?” He asks the question, though healready knows the answer.

Betty shakes her head. “Not since you last slept over.”

“You can sleep now, if you want,” he says.

“What about you?”

“I’m not tired,” he lies. He’s not sure if Betty believeshim, or if she’s just too tired to argue, but she tilts her seat back andcloses her eyes. It isn’t long before her breathing becomes slow and even, themotion of the vehicle putting her to sleep like a baby. Archie glances at herout the corner of his eye, and finds his heart swell with fondness. She looksso peaceful like that. He hopes she’s dreaming of something good.

They don’t go for a drive every night, but it becomes ahabit. Sometimes he’s already waiting in the car when she calls. He neverbothers to wake Veronica, he knows she won’t want to come. And he finds hedoesn’t want her to come.

She wakes up one night as he’s sneaking out, and he freezesin the doorway, caught in the act.

“Is it Betty again?” Veronica croaks in the darkness.

“Yeah,” Archie says. He has no idea if Veronica knows justhow often he leaves her in the middle of the night. A lot of the time he makesit back in time to wake up with her in the morning, but sometimes he just staysat Betty’s. He knows Betty will sleep better if he’s there.

“Should I come?” Veronica asks hesitantly. He feels a rushof sudden resentment, and he panics, trying to think of a way to tell her notto come. This is his time with Betty. He doesn’t want Veronica intruding.Because that’s what she would be, if she sat there in the back seat; anintruder. He doesn’t want her there, witnessing how he is with Betty.

“Not if you don’t want to,” Archie says. He holds hisbreath, waiting for her answer.

“Maybe next time,” Veronica says. Archie breathes a sigh ofrelief.

“Okay,” he says. He leaves without another word.

Veronica never asks if she should come along again. Maybeshe senses that he doesn’t want her to. Maybe she feels she Betty still needstime before they can be friends again. Maybe she feels it’s been too much time.

As weeks pass, Archie and Betty continue their midnightdrives. Archie doesn’t know if Betty can tell, but he notices that she seemsbetter every time.

He notices the first time she gives him a genuine smile, twoweeks after Jughead’s funeral. And a week after that, he says something thatmakes her laugh joyously, the sound filling up the car and the holes in hisheart. He’s missed that sound.

He notices that she doesn’t seem so tired anymore, and thatshe cries less and less. She says she thinks her mom is doing better, that FPhas been there to help her through the aftermath of Hal. Archie can’t help butthink that, whether Betty knows it or not, he has been the same for her.

He notices that slowly, slowly, the light returns to hereyes. He notices that she doesn’t mention how much she misses Jughead as much,and that when she does mention him she doesn’t get choked up.

And he notices that the more time he spends with her, themore he wants to spend time with her. That he wants to hold her hand, and thatit gets harder and harder to leave her side to go to Veronica. He catcheshimself thinking about kissing her, and he feels incredibly guilty, because hefeels like he’s betraying his girlfriend and his dead friend, though he’s donenothing to act on it.

But he can’t stop himself from thinking about her, dreamingabout her. From imagining that maybe she feels the same. And he knows he’s waytoo far gone to ever come back from this.

Perhaps he’s being a complete fool, but he decides to endthings with Veronica on the off-chance Betty feels the same about him.

He meets her at Pop’s. Neutral territory. The last thing hewants to do is hurt her, but he feels like he’s hurting her either way.

She sees it coming. She doesn’t cry, but she can’t entirelyhide the hurt in her eyes.

“I’m not going to ask you why, Archie,” she says, carefully.“I know why.”

“You do?”

Veronica snorts. “Archie, you spend every second nightsleeping in Betty’s bed.”

“I never cheated on you,” Archie is quick to inform her.Veronica rolls her eyes.

“I know. I know you’d never do that.” She sighs. “I can’thelp but feel partly responsible.”

“No, Ronnie—” Archie shakes his head. “None of this is yourfault.”

“I know that too,” her eyes flash, and Archie flinches. “Butif I pretend I could have stopped it, then I won’t have to hate you.”

“You can hate me if you want to.”

“I don’t want to do that, Archie,” Veronica shakes her head.She stands up. “I really hope it works out for you,” she says as she leaves.Archie can’t tell if she’s being sincere or not.

By the time he gets home, all her stuff is gone.

Betty probably doesn’t need these late-night drives anymore.But she keeps coming anyway. Archie wonders if she looks forward to them theway he does.

It’s not strange for them to sometimes sit in comfortablesilence, but this time Archie finds it’s unbearable. He has so many things tosay but he can’t quite work out how to phrase them.

“I broke up with Veronica,” he says finally, breaking thesilence. Betty doesn’t say anything for what feels like eons.

“Why?”

“I guess—I guess my heart just wasn’t in it anymore. I wasn’tin love with her anymore.”

“I’m sorry,” Betty says. Archie nods, and they fall intosilence again.

Archie eventually turns the car around and they end up backin his driveway. He turns off the ignition and removes his seatbelt, and he andBetty just sit there for a moment. He turns to her.

“Betty,” he says. It comes out more hesitant than he intends.She turns her head to face him. He leans in slightly, pausing with his lips aninch from hers. Betty closes the gap and meets his lips with hers. The kiss onlylasts a second, but it gets Archie’s heart racing. Their faces remain closeenough that any small movement could cause their lips to brush again.

“I love you so much,” Archie whispers. Betty doesn’t sayanything, but he doesn’t need her to. He just needs her to know. It isn’t untilhe presses a soft kiss to her cheek that he realises she’s crying.

“What’s wrong?” he asks, brushing his thumb across her wetcheek to wipe her tears away.

“I want this so much, Arch,” she tells him. “But I’m scared.”

“What are you scared of?”

“The last person I loved died,”she says. “I’m scared it could happen to you too. I’m scared that if we do thisthat I’m betraying his memory. I’m scared that I might not be able to give youas much of me as you need. I’m so broken, Arch. How could I ever expect you tolove me like this?”

“Hey, hey,” he whispers. He puts his hands on her face. “Lookat me. I do love you. And I’m notgoing anywhere. It doesn’t many how many bruises or battle scars you have. Iwant you as you are, as much as you can give me, as much as you want to giveme. And Jughead would want you to be happy, you know that.”

Betty nods.

“As for me dying, I can’t promise I won’t. But love isalways a risk, Betty. Could you ever be happy if we didn’t try?”

Betty shakes her head, and Archie kisses her again.

“Okay,” she says. She gives a watery laugh. “Okay. Let’s dothis.”

“Come on.” Archie opens the car door. “Let’s sleep in my bedtonight.”

#barchie #barchie fanfiction #fanfic #prompts filled #short oneshot #ratedg #canon divergence #angst #death #major character death #verarchie #blughead #falice #s2 #hurtcomfort #t:laying upon the dead with you #a:barchiefanfiction #a:elsiestubbs #a:keiraknighted

[barchiefanfiction]

Hello! Could you do a fic where Archie pines over Betty - like A LOT? And then finally confesses his feelings to her? Maybe taking place after season 2, when Varchie is broken up but Bughead is still together. Love all of your writing, btw!

Thanks so much for the prompt! 

I also combined it with this prompt:  “Remember what I told you that night, after the dance? I told you I wasn’t good enough for you, I never said that I don’t have feelings for you. You are not the only one who’s been in love with your best friend for years, Betty.” - Archie.

unbearable

AO3 // ff.net

It doesn’t take long for the kingdom Archie had started tobuild to come crashing down around him. Hiram has the Serpents evicted, Jugheadand FP included. With nowhere else to go, they leave town. Where, Archie isn’ton good enough terms with Jughead to find out. He argues with Hiram about it,because whatever else he’s done to Jughead, this is too far. Hiram decidesArchie is a liability, and cuts him loose. Veronica, in an effort to keepArchie from enduring more of her father’s wrath, breaks up with him. Hiram andHermione decide she can’t be trusted and send her to boarding school in NewYork.

Each event is like a wrecking ball to the foundation of hislife, and soon he finds himself surrounded by nothing but rubble. But thereamongst the ruins, lifting him to his feet, tending to his wounds, despiteeverything; Betty.

He thinks it’s a miracle she still wants to speak to himafter everything that happened.

“How can you stand to even look at me, let alone be friendswith me, after what I helped do to Jughead?” Archie asks her, walking back fromPop’s, a week or so after Veronica has been shipped away against her will.

Betty is silent for a moment. “You probably don’t remember,but once I told my mom I’d never stop being friends with you,” she sayseventually. “I meant that. There is nothing you could do or say that would makeme stop being friends with you.”

Archie remembers, of course. How could he forget? The wordshad left him speechless, that she would have that much faith in him, after allhis mistakes. He feels that way again now. After everything he’s done, everydumb mistake he feels he will never be redeemed for, Betty still stands by him.He’d like to echo the sentiment, or thank her at the very least. But the wordsstick in his throat. How can he possibly convey how much her belief in himmeans to him?

Instead he just vows to himself that one day he’s going tomake it up to her.

Things with Betty start out innocently enough. He’s justhappy to have his best friend back. With Jughead and Veronica out of thepicture, they really only have each other, and they spend basically all theirtime together.

He’s missed her laugh, her friendship, her presence in hislife. He finds himself trying to capture every moment with her in his mind. Theywalk to school together, eat lunch together, and walk home together. If theydon’t hang out after school or on the weekends, they’re constantly messagingeach other.

It doesn’t take Archie long to forget Veronica ever evenexisted. And Jughead for that matter. He knows Betty is still in contact withboth of them, but with his relationship with Veronica over, and Jughead stillnot speaking to him, Archie has no reason to think of either of them. As far ashe’s concerned, there isn’t any problem with that. He’s got Betty, he doesn’tneed anyone else.

He’s at her place after school one day, studying. Or atleast, pretending to study. He’s got his books open, and they’re sprawled outon her bed, but he’s been staring at this one math problem for the last twentyminutes and hasn’t even made an attempt to answer it. He glances at Bettybeside him. She’s got her brow furrowed in concentration, reading somethingfrom her open textbook.

Archie smiles to himself. She looks so cute like that, deepin her own thoughts.

“Archie,” Betty says, not looking at him. “Do yourhomework.” Perhaps she’s not as deep in thought as he’d assumed.

“I can’t think anymore,” Archie complains. “We’ve been atthis for…” he checks the time on his phone. “Twenty minutes? Really?” hegroans. “It feels like it’s been hours.”

Betty chuckles, finally rolling on her side to face him. “Wecan take a break if you want,” she says. Archie breathes a sigh of relief.Betty gets off the bed and turns her speakers on, scrolling through her phonefor a song to play.

“Any requests?” she asks.

“Whatever you want,” Archie smiles. Betty ponders for amoment before hitting play. Archie isn’t surprised when it’s Taylor Swift, andhe laughs as Betty dances, lip syncing the words.

“Come on,” Betty grins. “You wanted to stop studying, so nowyou have to dance with me.”

Archie groans dramatically, feigning reluctance as Bettygrabs him and drags him off the bed. He doesn’t really know the words, butBetty sings along loud enough for the both of them.

“This ain’t for thebest, my reputation’s never been worse, so you must like me for me,” shesings. Archie feels his heart swell as they dance, carefree and light, likewhen they were kids. Betty beams at him, and he feels his heart lurch, as iftrying to free itself from his body and attach itself to hers. He thinks aboutwhat it would be like to kiss her. It’s a brief whim, but it makes him stopsuddenly, and the smile drops from his face. He’s not supposed to think thingslike that about Betty.

Betty notices the change, and pauses the music. “What’swrong?” she asks him. Archie shakes his head, his mouth dry. He can’t tell her.

He swallows. “Nothing,” he says, convincing himself as muchas he is her, even as his heart lurches again. “We should probably get back tostudying.”

“Words I never thought I’d hear you say,” Betty laughs. Butshe settles herself back on her bed in front of her books, and Archie does thesame, trying to slow his rapid heartbeat.

When he goes to bed that night, she’s still on his mind. Heconvinces himself it doesn’t mean anything. He’s being stupid. It’s not like hehasn’t thought about kissing her before, long before Veronica came along. Hell,he’s even actually kissed her before.

He closes his eyes, replaying that moment over in his mind,remembering the gentle pressure of her soft lips on his.

It’s nothing, hetells himself, even as he falls asleep thinking about her.

By morning Archie knows it isn’t nothing. It means somethingthat he wants to kiss her. It means something that he wakes up thinking abouther. It means something that his first instinct when he wakes up is to reachfor his phone and message her. He lies there staring at the ceiling, trying tocome to terms with his realisation.  Hisheart hammers against his ribcage, and he squeezes his eyes shut. He’s in lovewith her.

The thing is, being in love with Betty is not even really anew development. He’s loved her his whole life, practically. When he was a kid,he used to dream they’d get married.

But his feelings for Betty have always been like the ocean.Sometimes calm and peaceful, and he can almost forget they exist. Other timesthey threaten to drown him, pull him under and never let him come up for air.And now, with the fog that was Veronica gone, he can finally see clearly.Whether a gentle tide or a raging sea storm, his feelings for Betty have alwaysbeen vast, and deep, and terrifying.

Knowing that he’s in love with Betty doesn’t change much. Theystill walk to and from school together. It’s just that now he can’t stopthinking about how close their hands are, how easy it would be to slip his handinto hers. His heart spasms with every accidental brush of skin.

They still hang out at lunch, and after school, and onweekends. It’s just that now, his mind constantly conjures up images of him kissingher. He’s painfully aware of her presence, of every look that passes betweenthem, of every casual touch. It’s a wonderful torture, but it’s torture all thesame.

He lets himself fantasize sometimes. When he’s lying in bedat night he’ll close his eyes and dream up scenarios in which he’s allowed towant her. Or he’ll replay the events of the day in his mind, searching forhints that maybe she wants him too. He imagines himself telling her how hefeels, and her telling him she feels the same. He imagines kissing her,caressing her, undressing her. He imagines her moaning his name while hetouches himself. He envisions a future where they end up together, happily everafter. He torments himself night after night, knowing he can’t have her, andyet desperately wanting her all the same.

He starts writing songs again, because it’s the only way hecan get his feelings out. He’s got no one to turn to. The words come so easilyto him, and he churns out song after song, some sweet and romantic, some angstyand heartbreaking. He knows she’ll never hear a single one of these songs, buthe imagines playing them to her anyway. Imagines she wants to hear them. Heknows he’s utterly pathetic.

But even when he tries to stop, knowing it’s wrong, he cando nothing but think about her, all the time.

Despite his own selfish feelings, and the effort it takeseveryday to squash his illicit thoughts about her, he’s still perfectly attunedto Betty’s emotions, and he notices instantly when she’s upset.

She’s quiet on their walk to school, subdued, likesomething’s bothering her.

“Betty?” Archie says, dragging her from her thoughts.“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, I—” she shakes her head. “I just miss Jughead.”

Archie tries not to feel jealous. Of course she misses herboyfriend. It’s been a month since she’s seen him, and though she’s done herbest to keep herself distracted, he knows it must be hard for her.

“Sorry, I know you guys still aren’t speaking,” she says.

“It’s okay,” Archie says. “I’m sorry. It must suck to not beable to see him.”

“Do you miss Veronica?” Betty asks. “I know you guys brokeup, but still…”

Archie shrugs. “Not really.” He supposes it’s differentwithout her around. He has fond memories of their time together. But he’s notsure he misses her. His thoughts areso occupied by Betty, there isn’t any room for anyone else.

Betty drops her eyes to her feet again. Archie can’t standto see her so sad.

“Hey,” he says. “Why don’t we do something fun tonight?Maybe it will help get your mind of it.”

“We always do fun things,” Betty says.

“Something different,” Archie says, though he’s yet tofigure out what.

“Like what?”

“It’s a surprise,” he tells her. She grins.

“Alright,” she agrees. She looks happier already. “Asurprise!” she laughs. “Can’t wait to see what you have in store for me.”

Archie smiles, his affection for her only growing every timeshe smiles.

Betty climbs into the passenger seat of Fred’s truck, Archieat the wheel. She’s dressed in a coat and jeans, her hair in her signatureponytail. Her eyes somehow sparkle in the darkness. She’s excited. Archiesmiles.

“Ready?” he asks.

“Considering I have no idea where we’re going, I’m notsure,” Betty says. “But I dressed like you said to and I’m up for anything.”

“Don’t get too excited,” Archie says, starting the truck.“Turns out I’m terrible at coming up with interesting things to do.”

“We’ll see,” Betty says. Archie backs out of the driveway.

The radio is playing ballads from the 80s as Archie drivesthrough town, following Sweetwater River past the town limit. Betty singsalong, and he joins in. They sound good together. Archie wonders why they don’tsing together more often.

He keeps following the river, the road twisting and turningas the river does. He eventually finds a spot by the river he likes, not toomany trees around, and he pulls over, parking the truck in the middle of alarge expanse of grass away from the road.

“Did you bring me out here to murder me?” Betty asks. Archieunbuckles his seatbelt, giving her a look. She grins, following his lead andthey both get out of the truck.

“Seriously, Archie, why are we here?” Betty asks.

“Just hang on,” he says, uncovering the tray of the truck.He’s got mountains of pillows and blankets hidden underneath.

“Are we… going to take a nap?” Betty says.

“Do you want to take a nap?”

“I could nap.”

“We’re not here to nap.”

Archie climbs into the tray and helps Betty do the same.

“Okay,” he says. “Lie down.” Betty settles herself among thepillows, still looking at Archie dubiously. He lies down beside her, close butnot touching. “Look up,” he whispers. He watches her as she drags her gaze fromhis to the sky. Her face lights up and Archie smiles to himself. She’s sobeautiful it makes his chest ache. He tears his eyes away from her to look upthe sky.

On this clear night, away from the lights of town, the skylooks like it’s been studded with diamonds. Archie still thinks Betty’s eyesshine brighter, but the stars are nice too.

“We’re stargazing,” Betty murmurs, her eyes alight.

“Yeah,” Archie laughs, turning to look back at her. Bettykeeps her eyes on the sky. Archie takes the opportunity to frame this moment inhis mind.

“Archie?” Betty says.

“Mmm?”

“Do you know anything about stars?”

“Uhhh…” he screws up his nose. “No.”

Betty laughs, light and tinkling. Archie grins.

“Sorry,” he says. “I guess I didn’t think this through,huh?” He looks back to the sky.

“It’s okay,” Betty says. “I’ll show you the constellations Iknow.” She sits up and pulls her ponytail out, shaking her hair around hershoulders before lying back down. “It was hurting my head,” she explains. Shescoots a little closer to him, until she’s pressed up against him. Archie feelslike he can barely breathe. Their faces are so close, it would take almost nomovement at all for him to kiss her. His eyes linger on her lips.

“Okay, do you see where I’m pointing?” she points to thesky. Archie swallows, letting his eyes follow her finger. “Those three stars ina straight line are Orion’s belt. And… the rest of him is around theresomewhere.”

“Betty,” Archie says. “You don’t know anything about starseither do you?”

“Not really,” Betty admits. “We could make up our ownconstellations.”

“Okay,” Archie agrees.

They forget about the stars before long, and they findthemselves wrapped up in the blankets, face to face, reminiscing about oldtimes. Archie has no idea how long they’ve been out here. For all he knows,time has stopped entirely. He wouldn’t mind. If he got to stay here in thismoment with Betty forever, he thinks he’d be happy.

“Thanks for doing this, Arch,” Betty whispers.

“You’re welcome,” Archie smiles.

“I only wish…” Betty sighs. “I wish Jughead were here.”

The words feel like a punch in the gut. Jughead, right. Herboyfriend. He’d let himself get caught up in the moment and completelyforgotten why they’re even out here in the first place. He swallows, turningaway. He feels hollow all of a sudden.

“We should probably get back,” Archie says, sitting up. Hecan’t look at her. He feels like he wants to cry.

“Yeah, okay,” Betty agrees. Archie climbs out of the truckquickly. “Arch?” Betty says. He manages to meet her gaze. “I am really gratefulyou did this.”

Archie nods and looks away again. He believes her. But itstill hurts that he’s not the one she wants.

He’s probably already written fifty songs about her by now,and yet he still has lyrics inside him, wanting to burst out and latchthemselves onto a page. He spends most of his free time in the garage playing.

He looks up from his guitar as his dad walks into thegarage, knocking gently on the door frame.

“Hey,” Fred says. “You ready for dinner?”

Archie nods and gets up, following his dad to the diningroom where there’s a bowl of spaghetti waiting for him.

“You’ve been writing a lot lately,” Fred notes. He smiles.“Must be in love.”

Archie knows his dad means it as a light-hearted joke, butArchie falters, a lump forming in his throat when he tries to laugh. Fredpauses, studying his son, as Archie stares at his spaghetti.

“Sorry,” Fred says. “I didn’t mean to…” he trails off.“Betty?” he guesses. Archie hates that he guesses right the first time. Is hereally that obvious?

“Yeah,” Archie admits. Fred doesn’t say anything. What isthere to say? But Archie can feel his father’s pity seeping into his skin, sohe gives him a half smile. “What, no fatherly advice for me?” Archie jokes.

Fred hesitates. “If you really love her, let her be happy.”

Archie looks down at his plate of food, suddenly not hungryanymore.

There’s a part of Archie, the darkest, worst part ofhimself, that wants Jughead to break Betty’s heart. For him to stop picking upthe phone when Betty calls. For him to send a text telling her it’s over withno explanation. To tell her he’s met someone else or that long distance justdoesn’t work for him. And Archie would be there to pick up the pieces.

He hates himself for even entertaining the thought. He wantsBetty to be happy, even if it’s notwith him.

He knows what he has to do, though it doesn’t mean it’seasy. He sits on the end of his bed, phone in hand, his thumb hovering over thecall button. He closes his eyes and hits the button. The phone rings as he putsit to his ear.

“Archie Andrews,” Jughead says when he picks up the phone.“It’s been a long time.”

“I wasn’t even sure if you’d pick up,” Archie admits.

“I almost didn’t.” There’s a short silence before Jugheadspeaks again. “Why are you callingme, Archie?”

Archie licks his lips. “It’s about Betty,” he says.

“Is she okay?” Jughead asks frantically, already assumingthe worst.

“She’s fine,” Archie assures his friend. “She just… missesyou.”

“Well I miss her too,” Jughead says.

“So come home,” Archie tells him.

“I can’t, Archie. There’s nowhere for me to go.”

“Come for a visit at least,” Archie says. “You can stayhere.”

“Is this your apology?” Jughead asks, dubious.

Archie chuckles. “Something like that. Come on. I know Bettywould love it if you came to stay for a weekend.”

Jughead hesitates. “Alright,” he says finally. “I think Ican swing that.”

“Good,” Archie nods. “I’ll see you then.”

“Okay. Bye, Archie.”

“Wait, Jughead,” Archie says quickly, before Jughead canhang up. “I really am sorry, for everything that happened. For how I treatedyou.”

“I know, Archie. I’ll see you in a week, okay?”

Betty is over at Archie’s when Jughead arrives, as planned.The doorbell rings, and Betty doesn’t even look up from the video game they’replaying. She has no idea who’s at the door. Archie pauses the game.

“I have to get the door,” he says. “You want to come with?”

Betty gives him a look of confusion. “Why?”

“Just come.”

Betty huffs, but she puts down her controller and follows Archieto the front door.

“Open it for me, will you?” Archie asks. Betty side-eyeshim.

“What’s going on?” she asks, suspicious.

“You’ll see.”

Betty squints at him, turning the handle. She swings thedoor open. Her mouth drops open when she sees Jughead standing there.

“Jug?” she says, incredulous. Her stunned expression morphsinto one of pure joy. Jughead grins and Betty leaps forward, throwing her armsaround him. Archie can’t bear to look. And yet he does. He watches as Betty andJughead hold their embrace for what seems like an eternity. He watches as Bettykisses Jughead’s face. He watches as the two of them smile and laugh, overjoyedat seeing each other.

Archie clears his throat and they break apart.

“Let me take your bag, Jug,” Archie says. “You two should goback to Betty’s and catch up.”

Jughead nods, handing Archie his bag. Archie takes the bag,his eyes lingering on their hands, clutching each other tightly. His chestfeels tight. He forces a smile. Jughead starts leading Betty away, but sheturns back to Archie once more.

“Thanks, Arch,” she smiles. Archie nods. He closes the doorbehind them and carries Jughead’s bag upstairs. He throws the bag to the ground,and out of habit looks out his window. He sees Betty drag Jughead into herroom, kissing him, laughing. And Jughead’s laughing too. Archie wrenches thecurtain closed, unable to stomach the sight. He feels like the joke is on him.

Alice won’t let Jughead stay over, so he sleeps on thetrundle in Archie’s room.

“How was your day with Betty?” Archie asks, though he’s notreally sure he wants to know.

“Perfect,” Jughead says. “Thanks for… letting me stay. Forcalling.”

“It’s the least I could do,” Archie says. “For the record, Iwant to apologise again for being a total dick. I’m really sorry Jughead.”

“I’m sorry too, Archie,” Jughead says. “We both said and didthings. I mean, it was mostly you, but still.”

Archie snorts. “Thanks, Jug. I appreciate the sentiment.”

“Archie, can you turn the light on for a sec?” Jughead says.Archie reaches for the lamp, squinting in the sudden brightness. He looks overat Jughead. Jughead looks at him seriously. “We shouldn’t let stuff like thatcome between us again, okay? We should be honest with each other. We shouldsupport each other. I’ll tell you the truth if you tell me the truth, okay? Nomore secrets and lies.”

Archie swallows. He nods. Guilt pools in his stomach.

“Okay, you can turn the light off now,” Jughead says. Archiedoes as he’s bid. He can feel a weight on his chest, threatening to crush him.He licks his lips, thinking about Jughead’s words.

“Jughead,” he says. He shouldn’t say anything. But somethingabout the darkness, about the need to confess, to stop feeling so guilty,compels him.

“Yeah, Archie?”

Archie hesitates. He closes his eyes, bracing himself for Jughead’sreaction. “I’m in love with Betty.” He swallows. The silence engulfs him.“Jughead?” he prompts, unable to bear it any longer.

“How—” Jughead starts. He stops. “When did you fall in lovewith her?”

Honesty, Archiereminds himself. “I’m not sure,” he admits. “I think—I think maybe I was inlove with her this whole time.”

“God, Archie,” Jughead snorts. He doesn’t seem angry. Justas if he finds the whole thing ludicrous. “Fine. When did you figure it out?When did you know?”

Archie hesitates. “Not until it was much too late.”

Somewhere in his heart, Jughead finds it in his heart toforgive Archie for falling in love with his girlfriend.

“I know you’re not going to do anything about it,” Jugheadsays. “And even if you did, I trust Betty enough to know nothing will everhappen.”

He leaves the next day, after a long goodbye with Betty.Jughead gives Archie a hug before he gets on his bus.

“Look after her for me,” Jughead says. Archie nods, tryingnot to feel resentful. “And I give you permission to accompany her to theformal next weekend.”

“There’s a formal next weekend?” Archie asks. That’s news tohim.

“She wants to go,” Jughead says with a shrug. “Just watchyour hands,” he laughs. Archie manages a short laugh. Jughead gives Bettyanother long kiss before boarding.

“You want to go to that dance together next weekend?” Archieasks Betty as they watch the bus pull away.

“Sure,” Betty agrees. It shouldn’t make his heart twitch,but it does.

When Betty walks out her front door on Saturday evening,Archie feels like he might die. All the air from his lungs leaves him, and hecan do nothing but stare.

“Wow,” he manages. “You look amazing.”

Betty laughs, though Archie can see no humour in thesituation. “Thanks,” she says. “You look great too.”

He stares at her a little longer, drinking her in. Her hairfalling around her shoulders in loose waves, the colour of her dress bringingout the green in her eyes, her pink lips, somehow looking even softer thanusual.

“Shall we go?” Betty prompts, and Archie starts.

“Yeah,” he says quickly. He holds out his arm and she slipsher arm through his. He shivers, though it’s warm out.

They walk to the dance together, arm in arm. It’s being heldin the gym at Riverdale High, so it’s only a short walk.

It seems strange now to be at a school dance withoutVeronica or Jughead. He sees all the familiar faces of the people he goes toschool with, and yet they all seem like strangers to him now.

Kevin approaches with Moose in tow. “Glad you guys made it,”Kevin says. “Betty, do you want to dance?”

“Sure,” Betty grins, and Kevin leads Betty onto thedancefloor, leaving Archie with Moose.

“I hate school dances,” Moose complains, trying to makesmall talk.

“You didn’t have to come,” Archie points out. Moose shrugs.

“Yeah, but Kevin wanted to and… I’m weak when it comes towhat Kevin wants,” Moose grins. Archie is surprised to hear Moose talking soopenly about his relationship with Kevin, given that he’d only come out a fewweeks ago. But if Moose’s feelings for Kevin are anything like Archie’sfeelings for Betty, he completely gets it.

“I know what you mean,” Archie says, his eyes on Betty andKevin. He quickly looks back to Moose, only to find Moose studying himcuriously. Archie clears his throat. “So, you and Kevin.”

“Best thing that ever happened to me,” Moose says. “It tooka lot for us to get here, but… I feel like it was meant to be, you know?”

“Yeah,” Archie says. The song that’s playing ends, andTaylor Swift’s familiar voice starts playing over the speakers.

This ain’t for thebest, my reputation’s never been worse, so you must like me for me.

Archie locks eyes with Betty, and she grins at him,beckoning him out onto the dancefloor. He’s helpless to do anything but follow.He passes Kevin, who’s on his way back to Moose.

“Good luck,” Kevin whispers as they pass each other.

Archie reaches Betty and she grabs his hands, dancingjoyfully. Archie knows he’s a terrible dancer, but he joins in anyway. He knowsthe lyrics by now, and he sings along with her as she twirls under his arm. Hischest aches. Being with her like this, knowing she’s with someone else, knowingshe has no idea how he feels, it’s almost unbearable.

“Sometimes I wonderwhen you sleep are you ever dreaming of me?” the speakers play, Archie andBetty singing along. “Sometimes when Ilook into your eyes, I pretend you’re mine, all the damn time.”

He has to tell her how he feels. Even if she doesn’t feelthe same way. Because what if she does? What if there’s some small chance thatshe still loves him? What if, after all this time, they are really meant to betogether?

The song ends, and they stop dancing. Betty smiles at him asthe next song starts playing. Something slower. Betty puts her arms around hisneck and Archie follows her lead, slipping his arms around her waist. He’lltell her after the dance ends. Right now, he’s just going to try and enjoy thebittersweet feeling of being in her arms.

When the dance is over, they walk home together. Betty talksanimatedly the whole way home, but Archie is notably silent. His heart beatshard in his chest as he goes over what he’s going to say to her.

They reach Betty’s front door and Betty turns to him,tilting her head.

“Are you okay?” she asks. “You were pretty quiet on the wayhome.”

Archie almost says yes. But then he shakes his head. “No,”he says quietly. “I’m not.”

Betty reaches for him. “What is it?” she asks, a comfortinghand on his bicep.

“Betty…” he starts. He hesitates. “I’m in love with you.” Heswallows, watching her for her reaction, his expression pained. Betty drops herhand from his arm. She closes her eyes for a second, not saying anything.

“I’ve been trying to deny it for months now,” Archiecontinues. “But I can’t any longer. I had to tell you. I love you. I love you.”

Betty looks at him. Tears glint in the corners of her eyes. “Youdon’t really love me, Archie. You’re just lonely.”

Archie shakes his head. “No, Betty. This is real,” he says.“I think I’ve been in love with you for years and years.”

Betty laughs humourlessly. She still doesn’t believe him.Archie groans. He has to make her see.

“Remember… remember what I told you that night, after thedance?” he says. He wonders if he sounds as frantic as he feels. “I told you Iwasn’t good enough for you, I never said that I don’t have feelings for you.And… and remember how we kissed that night, in the car outside Cheryl’s? Ithought about that kiss everyday since then. You’re not the only one who’s beenin love with your best friend for years, Betty,” he says desperately. Bettystill doesn’t say anything, and she won’t look at him.

“Betty—” he says, her name rolling of his tongue like aplea.

“I remember, Archie,” she says, finally looking at him. Wetlines stream down her face. “I remember exactly the way your face looked whenyou told me you didn’t want me. I remember how my heart ached constantly, how Iwent to sleep every night wishing you would love me the way I loved you. Iremember how we kissed and you were back with Veronica within a day.”

She doesn’t sound angry, but the tears flow freely now.

“Betty—” he tries again. “I’m sorry, I—”

“It’s okay, Archie,” she says softly. “It doesn’t hurtanymore. I forgive you for all that. And I love you, of course I do,” she says.“I’ll always love you. But you’re too late. I’m with Jughead now. I love Jughead.”

Archie nods. He can’t speak. If he tries, he’ll cry, and hecan’t cry. Not in front of her. He doesn’t know what he expected. Of course shewas always going to reject him. That’s always how this was going to end.

“I should go,” he manages, trying to keep voice steady, evenas it cracks.

“Wait, Archie,” Betty says. Archie pauses, the fool in himdaring to hope for a moment. But she just steps forward and wraps her armsaround him, burying her head in his chest. Archie holds his breath, wrappinghis own arms around her tightly in return. He puts his lips to her forehead,breathing her in. He can’t stand it. He pulls away.

“Goodnight, Betty.”

He turns to go and doesn’t look back.

He doesn’t cry until he’s alone in his dark room. He doesn’twant to cry at all. He’s never cried over a girl before. But his heart hasnever been so shattered. He’s never wanted somebody so much and known that he’llnever get to be with them. It’s utterly unbearable.

There’s a knock on his door. Archie hurriedly wipes at hiseyes, trying to stop his chest from heaving.

“Archie?” his dad calls. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, Dad,” Archie calls back, but his voice wobbles,and then he’s crying again. Fred pushes the door open. He sits on Archie’s bedand puts his arms around his son. Archie buries his head into his dad’sshoulder.

“You want to talk about it? What happened?” Fred asks.

“Betty—” Archie starts, but that’s all he can get out. Hisdad seems to get it anyway. Fred rubs his back to comfort him. Heavy sobs wrackhis body until he can cry no longer.

“You’re going to be alright,” Fred whispers. “You and Bettywill be alright. Get some sleep, okay?”

Archie nods and Fred leaves him. He lies back on his bedfeeling hollow until sleep eventually takes over.

In the morning he’ll pull it together enough to apologiseagain. To be her friend, support her, love her, even if it slowly kills him.

#barchie #barchie fanfiction #fanfic #long oneshot #ratedt #canon divergence #angst #fluff #jealousy #pining #reconciliation #music #blughead #kevin x moose #a:barchiefanfiction #a:keiraknighted #a:elsiestubbs #t:unbearable #Anonymous #unrequited #prompts filled

[barchiefanfiction]

lonely hearts (lead to bad dreams)

“Well, if it isn’t Ward and June Cleaver.”

Post 2x08

Prompt: dark!barchie

by @kinselllas

“Are you coming or what?” Betty asks.

She glances over her shoulder at a hesitant Archie, pushing a lock of blonde hair out of her face. She’s particularly proud of her all-black ensemble, Veronica’s borrowed leather jacket hugging her shoulders. Archie is still frozen in place outside the White Wyrm, and Betty takes a few careful steps backward on her heels, grabbing for his hand to urge him forward. She catches his quick eye roll before shoving the bar door open, the smell of stale beer and cigarettes wafting over them. They make their way towards the bar when Sweet Pea steps in their path.  

“Well, if it isn’t Ward and June Cleaver,” he grins, dry. “What can I do for you two?”

“I’m here for Jug,” Betty says, pushing past him towards the back room, but he catches her arm.

“I don’t think so,” Sweet Pea meets her gaze, “Wally’s not in the mood for guests.”

Betty shrugs off his touch and offers him a narrowed stare.

“I’m not a guest,” she says, voice low. “I’m his girlfriend.”

“Not what I heard,” Fangs appears at Sweet Pea’s side.

Archie stays silent behind her, but Betty can feel his tense energy radiating at her back.

Betty pushes forward, “Exactly why I need to talk to him.”

She attempts to squeeze through the gap between them, but Sweet Pea promptly closes it. Betty huffs her frustration, fingernails digging into her palms until she can feel the pain sinkingsinkingsinking.

“Sorry, Cooper,” Sweet Pea gives her a shake of his head, “Mama Cooper’s orders.”

“Since when do you take orders from my mom?”

“I don’t,” he shrugs, “but the boss does.”

Betty rolls her eyes and takes a step back, feeling an air of defeat. She runs a few fingers through her  waves and lets out a deep exhale. A part of her holds onto the hope that Jughead will hear her voice and walk out the door on his own.

“I suggest you head home, Sandy,” and really, Betty is getting sick of the nicknames. “Unless you’re going to get on stage and give us another show.”

Archie finally speaks, “What the hell are you talking about?”

Sweet Pea’s head tips back in a laugh, “Andrews, are you telling me you missed Betty’s little striptease the other night?”

Betty drops her gaze to the floor, but she can feel Archie’s eyes on her profile, his own jaw set in anger.

“See,” Sweet Pea continues, “I’ve always been partial to brunettes, but-“

“Shut up, Sweet Pea,” Betty whispers, pulse racing under her skin. She glances down to see Archie’s  fists clenched at his sides. Her fingers ache to reach for his wrist, offer some calm. Although, she’s not sure it’ll help at this point.

“Go home, Betty,” Sweet Pea urges, and she can see a genuine concern flicker through his eyes. It reminds her alarmingly of Jughead. Her hand reaches for Archie’s arm, a nod to the door and he silently returns it, following her lead. They barely make it a few steps when Sweet Pea’s voice cuts through the room again.

“Hey Andrews,” he says, over the music. “Tell Hiram’s daughter I said hi.”

Betty squeezes her eyes shut and braces herself for the hit, hearing the immediate impact of Archie’s fist connecting with Sweet Pea’s stomach. Sweet Pea, expecting the blow, fires a shot right into Archie’s nose. Archie charges full force and throws Sweet Pea into the bar, the chorus of switchblades echoing around them.

“Archie!” Betty grabs for his shoulder, but he rips out of her grasp. “Arch,” she repeats, softly.

Archie freezes as the room falls silent around them. Her fingers land on his arm more delicately and he releases Sweet Pea, snapping back into focus. When he turns to face her, there’s blood streaming over his mouth and chin. His eyes flicker over her for a moment, coming down from whatever adrenaline was driving him before. He doesn’t speak, just pushes past her and storms out of the bar. Betty doesn’t hesitate chasing after him, the cool breeze blowing blonde waves out of her face.

“Archie, stop!” she shouts, and he turns, only to wipe the blood away with heel of his palm.

They stand in a deadlock for a few moments, the silence buzzing around them until Archie speaks.

“What am I doing here, Betty?” he asks, voice low.

“I told you,” she fumbles, a breath. “We’re here to take Jughead back.”

“Really?” he snorts at her, “Is that what you really want?”

“Yes!”

“Because it feels like you want to be a part of this world,” he fires back, “to be one of them.”

Betty rolls her eyes, but otherwise stays silent. Archie’s nose is still bleeding, she wouldn’t be surprised if it was broken. He hasn’t winced once since the punch. She can feel her fingers trembling at her sides and digs them into her palm again.

“Is that what you want?” He asks, and when she doesn’t respond he asks again. “Is that what you want, Betty?”

“I don’t know!” She snaps, a small shrug. “Maybe. I don’t know.”

Archie scrubs a quick hand over his face, smearing a streak of blood over his jaw. He narrows his eyes, a little thoughtful, before taking a step toward her.

“Then hit me,” he says quietly.

Betty meets his gaze. “What?”

“You want to be a Serpent, Betty?” He asks. Repeats, “Hit me.”

Betty gives him an incredulous laugh, unsure how to respond to the seriousness of his gaze. There’s no sign of humor in his face and it forces a lump in Betty’s throat.  

“That’s what a Serpent would do,” Archie shrugs easily, “Sweet Pea would love you for it-“

She starts, “Archie—“

“Maybe Jughead will even take you back if you—“

“Archie, stop.”

“Hit me,” he finishes, taking a step closer to her. The rise and fall of his chest meets her own.

In light of the alley, she can see the pleading in his eyes. His face is a mess, jaw set and clenched tightly, but she can see the pain in his eyes. She lifts her hand to him and Archie’s eyes fall closed, flinching under the touch of her fingertips resting on his jawbone.

When he opens his eyes they’re darker, heavy. His gaze moves from her eyes, down to her mouth. Betty finds the air trapped in her throat, somewhere between a gasp and a sigh. He exhales, lips nearly brushing her own, when he catches himself with a harsh breath. Archie pulls back, glancing up at the stars for a few silent seconds.

“I’m going home,” he says, heading down the sidewalk. He gives a quick glance over his shoulder, “Are you coming or what?”

Betty hesitates, eyes falling to her fingers, the tips of her skin stained red.

She gives a last look at the front door of the White Wyrm, slides off her heels, and pads down the sidewalk to catch up with him.

#i think this is as dark as they could ever get #¯\_(ツ)_/¯ #barchie #barchie fanfiction #fanfic #angst #short oneshot #canon divergence #s2 #ratedna #blughead #verarchie #fight #prompts filled #a:barchiefanfiction #a:kinselllas #t:lonely hearts (lead to bad dreams)

[barchiefanfiction]

Will We Ever

Summary:  Archie and Betty walk home from Pop's together. Alternate ending to 2x14.

Now that the show is back I finally got some inspiration to fill a prompt! Sorry it took so long!

Prompt:  (season two canon) Archie and Betty have a fight (with tons of sexual tension).

AO3 // ff.net

In a booth at Pop’s on Sunday night, smiling across the table at Archie, her hand over his, there’s a moment that Betty feels at peace. The four of them are okay. They’ve survived yet another traumatic experience, and the argument that had taken place seems long forgotten.

Veronica removes her hand first, pulling it out from under three other hands.

“We should all probably go home,” she says. It’s odd for Veronica to be the first one to want to go home, but Betty is kind of exhausted herself, so she nods in agreement. “I’ll have Andre drop you guys off.”

“You know what, V? It’s not that far, Jughead can walk me home,” Betty says. Her bags aren’t that heavy, and she’d rather take her time. The less time spent in that house with Chic, the better.

“Actually, why doesn’t Archie walk you home?” Jughead says. “You guys live next door to each other, it makes more sense. I’ll take you up on the lift home, Veronica.”

Betty frowns in confusion, but Jughead just pats her arm. Is this his way of trying to prove he’s completely cool about the kiss? Veronica turns to Archie.

“Archie?” she prompts.

“Yeah,” he agrees. “Of course.”

They say goodnight to their respective partners, and Archie and Betty grab their bags from the car. They walk side by side in silence, letting the sounds from the night fill the empty air between them. The calm Betty had felt a moment ago, sitting in the warmth of Pop’s, has faded away. Her relief at being safe gives way to the anxiety she feels about having Chic around, her unease about whatever Veronica’s father is up to. She doesn’t want to fight with her friends, but she can’t deny Hiram is shady, and his purchase of the Register doesn’t look good.

They’re almost home before Archie finally speaks. Betty wonders when it became so hard to talk to him. Perhaps they’re both avoiding a topic of conversation that’s too hard to ignore when they’re alone together.

“Hey, about before…” Archie starts. “Before those guys came. I know it seems dumb now, but I hate fighting with you. So, I’m sorry.”

“Me too, Arch,” Betty says. They reach Betty’s front yard, and Archie walks her to the front door.

“You didn’t really mean all that stuff did you? What you said to Veronica?”

Betty hesitates. “No. Of course not.”

Archie looks relieved. “That’s what I thought,” he smiles. “I mean, I’m not wrapped around Veronica’s finger. Or other parts.”

Betty snorts, unable to hold back her laughter.

“What?” Archie says, a hesitant laugh on his lips.

“I mean… come on, Arch. That part was true,” she says. She immediately knows it was the wrong thing to say. Archie’s smile drops from his face completely.

“I can make my own decisions, Betty,” he snaps. He folds his arms across his broad chest. “I’m not some puppet doing whatever Veronica wants me to do.”

Betty lets out another snort, the humour from the situation gone now. “Whatever you say, Archie.”

“Like you can talk!” he scoffs. “Jughead breaks up with you for no reason, and as soon as he wants you back you go running back to him like nothing happened? It’s pathetic!”

“Pathetic?” Betty repeats, incredulous. “At least Jughead and I have a real connection! All you and Veronica do is have sex.”

“A real connection? The fact that you both like mysteries and books doesn’t mean you’re meant to be together.”

“So you think Jughead and I shouldn’t be together?” Betty says angrily. God, how did this argument become about their relationships? Why does she even care why he’s with Veronica, or whether or not he thinks she and Jughead belong together?

“So what if I do?” His jaw clenches.

“Why?” Betty pushes. When did he get so close? She swears she sees his eyes dart to her lips. Is he going to kiss her? Her heart beats erratically.

“Why didn’t you tell Jughead we kissed?”

“Why didn’t you?” She sways forward slightly, her body acting of its own accord. Which one of them will break first? Admit that it meant something? His eyes flick down to her lips again.

“Betty—”

The front door swings open. Betty whirls around to see her mother standing there in a robe, looking unimpressed.

“Betty, what are you two yelling about?” Alice scolds. “It’s almost midnight. Hurry up and get to bed, you’ve got school in the morning.”

“Yes, Mom,” Betty says quickly. “I’ll just be a minute.” She glances at Archie.

“Now, Betty,” Alice insists. “You can talk to Archie at school tomorrow.” Alice holds the door open and Betty reluctantly makes her way inside. She throws a look back over her shoulder at Archie. He swallows, watching her walk inside.

“Goodnight, Archie,” Alice says pointedly.

“Goodnight, Mrs. Cooper. Goodnight, Betty.”

Alice shuts the door.

#barchie #barchie fanfiction #fanfic #canon divergence #drabble #ratedt #angst #s2 #mutual pining #blughead #verarchie #fight #a:barchiefanfiction #a:keiraknighted #t:will we ever #prompts filled

[barchiefanfiction]

And Now

Alternate scenes to 2x14.

prompts: 1. Jug responds differently to finding out about the kiss 2. Betty's comment about Veronica having Archie wrapped around 'other parts of her body' as well was weirdly bitchy. Could it be there's some residual jealousy still hidden deep deep deep inside her? 3. After 2x14, Betty and Archie finally (actually) talk about the kiss

AO3 // ff.net

“Jug? What happened? Are you okay?”

Betty leads the others outside where Jughead has just hung up the phone. His mouth forms a tight line, his eyes filled with betrayal.

“That was Cheryl. She said you and Archie kissed in front of her house.”

Betty glances at Archie, at a loss for words. He was never supposed to find out this way. He was never supposed to find out at all.

“Well?” Jughead demands. “Is it true?”

The guilty silence says it all, but Jughead still waits for an answer.

“Yes,” Betty finally says, her voice barely a whisper. The hurt and disbelief on his face is unbearable. “Jug—” she starts. He shakes his head and shoves past them, hitting Archie’s shoulder with his as he storms inside. Betty swallows. She can feel both Archie and Veronica’s eyes boring into her. She knows she needs to go after Jughead and explain, but she has no idea what she’s going to say to him.

She finds the will to move her feet, following Jughead inside. She finds him in the living room, picking up his bag that Archie had dumped there when they’d first walked in.

“Jug, can we talk about this?” Betty says.

“I’m not in the mood for talking,” Jughead snaps.

“Please, Jug,” Betty begs. “Don’t leave like this. You’ll feel better if you just let me explain.”

“Fine.” He drops the bag and it slams to the floor. “You want to explain? Explain. Explain to me why you lied when I asked you point blank if anything had happened while we were broken up. I told you about Toni.”

“I couldn’t, Jug!” Betty says. “It was Archie.”

“And that makes it ten times worse!” Jughead spits. “How am I supposed to trust you after this?”

“Give her a break, Jughead,” Archie says, Betty turns to see Archie and Veronica have come back inside. “There were two people there that night.”

“You think that makes it better? Not only did my girlfriend betray me, my best friend did too!”

“Jughead,” Veronica says, her voice a warning. “Calm down.”

“How can you be okay with this?” Jughead asks her.

“Because, Jughead. I’ve had time to think about it. It happened when we were broken up. I trust Archie. It was one stupid kiss! It meant nothing. Right guys?”

Betty and Archie stay silent. Betty glances at Archie. She can’t bring herself to say it meant nothing, and Archie looks just as hesitant. Her heart lurches.  

“A lot of crazy things happened that night, Jug,” Betty says, turning back to him. Jughead glances at her. He still looks upset, but he seems to have calmed down a little.

“I wish you’d told me,” Jughead says bitterly.

“If I could go back, I swear I would. I’m sorry you had to find out from Cheryl,” Betty says. Jughead nods.

“I think I need some time to process,” he says.

“I know what will make us all feel better,” Veronica smirks. “My famous jalapeno margaritas!”

Things were supposed to be good again, after Betty and Jughead made up. But one phone call from her mom, and the four of them are at each other’s throats again.

“I am so sick of your vendetta against my dad!” Veronica says, exasperated. “He’s done plenty of good things.”

Betty is seething at Veronica’s attempts to stick up for her shady father. Wasn’t it only a few months ago she suspected the man of criminal activity herself?

“Like what?” Betty challenges. “Name one thing.”

“He’s—” Veronica tries, but comes up short.

“He paid my dad’s medical bills!” Archie interjects. Lucky Veronica has Archie to stick up for her, Betty thinks bitterly. How Archie is so far under her thumb, Betty will never fathom.

“Boy, Archie, Veronica’s got you wrapped around her little finger,” Jughead says. He’s not wrong.

“And other parts of her body,” Betty adds. It’s a cheap shot, petty and judgemental, but the words are out of her mouth before she can even stop to think about what she’s saying.

“Ohh,” Veronica scoffs. “I’m sorry! I’m sorry we don’t spend our time being tragic and moping, and holding hands while watching serial killer documentaries. Oh! And wearing costumes to role play to get our rocks off.”

Betty stares at Veronica in disbelief. She doesn’t dare look at Archie. She’d told Veronica that in confidence. Her face flames, wondering what Archie must think of her.

“That’s none of your business,” Betty snaps. “There’s no need to make it personal.”

“Oh, I think you’re the one who made in personal, Betty,” Veronica says, her smile vindictive. “So Archie and I like to have a lot of sex. Does that bother you?”

Betty gapes at Veronica. It shouldn’t bother her, she knows that. But does it? A little bit.

“You want to know what I think?” Veronica says, stepping closer, and Betty knows she has to brace herself for what’s coming next. This is the old Veronica coming out, and Betty knows she can never win against someone that spiteful. “I think you’re jealous. I think you never stopped wanting Archie, and the first chance you had to kiss him, you took it. And now you can’t stop thinking about how you wish it was Archie when you’re with Jughead, and you can’t get the image of me and Archie out of your head, wishing it was you he was screwing instead. Am I close?”

Betty doesn’t even get the chance to defend herself, for a split second later the sound of smashing glass makes them all jump, and moments later a guy in a black hood is storming into the room. But even as the masked men demand Veronica’s money, even as they threaten the four of them, even as they take the cash and run, Betty can’t stop thinking about Veronica’s comments, trying to convince herself they’re not true.

Betty and Archie walk to school together on Monday. Betty feels a little awkward, remembering the things Veronica had said. Hopefully Archie think Veronica was just being purposefully spiteful, and that none of it was true.

“We never talked about it, you know,” Archie says, out of the blue, startling Betty from her thoughts.

“About what?”

“The kiss.”

“There was no reason to,” Betty assures him. “It was just a stupid kiss, right?” she says, echoing Jughead’s words from before he kissed Veronica in the hot tub.

“Do you think they believe that?” Archie asks, as if he doesn’t quite believe it himself. Betty hesitates.

“No,” she admits. The things Veronica had said. The way Jughead had reacted. The way he’d said It’s just a stupid kiss, right? Like it was a challenge. Like he knew a kiss was never really just a kiss.

“Do you believe it?” Archie asks. She glances at him, but he’s looking steadfastly ahead. “Did it really mean nothing?”

“Come on, Arch,” she says, shaking her head. “It’s you. It’s never going to be nothing. But we made our choices.”

Archie nods. “And now we have to live with them.”

#barchie #barchie fanfiction #fanfic #short oneshot #canon divergence #s2 #ratedt #angst #blughead #verarchie #prompts filled