Disclaimer: not my characters
He worries that maybe the murder is the only thing keeping their relationship intact. Yes, he knows it's more than that - they were friends long before they became a couple, even though they both initially loved Archie more (in different ways, obviously. He never really fantasized about having Andrews babies.). But the murder was the catalyst, proving they're both lonely and hurting and somehow, even after never having received enough growing up, filled with love that needed to overflow into someone else. And solving the murder is what gives them time with each other, it's how he ended up on the Blue and Gold, it's how they found Polly, it's why he kissed her. He's wanted to do that for a while now, but the murder made it possible instead of making him look like that weird kid with the weird hat and a crush on his best friend's girl-next-door.
She thinks that even though she loves her cardigans, his colors are much more comfortable and comforting. Pale yellow doesn't fit on a rainy day when her dad actually might be crazy, her mother maybe isn't as crazy as she initially thought, her sister is Hester Prynne from an alternative universe, and she doesn't think she's in love with her best friend anymore. The first three issues are definitely a bigger deal, particularly when dealing with the Blossoms, but the last one keeps her up at night. For ten years, she's dreamed of red headed babies, a white picket fence, and a blue and gold letterman's jacket after movie dates, but now she dreams of black, of quiet smirks, and of shy yet determined kisses after diner food. The first dream is more colorful and more Betty, but the second one is peace and clarity and rain and love.
He might be in love with her. He likes to watch her hair swing as she walks - it used to bounce, but now it's more gentle and a little dangerous, just like her. She makes him feel on edge and he's not used to feeling that way. That's not true, actually. He is used to feeling on edge, but for different reasons, for important reasons, like his dad drinking or his mom leaving or for keeping secrets in this stupid town with so many secrets. What he's not used to is his heart pounding when she walks into the room or his mind freezing when she stands close. He's not used to choking on his words or feeling protective or even smiling so much lately. It feels warm and safe and completely perfect.
She's definitely in love with him. She knows he worries that as soon as all this craziness blows over, she'll fall in love with Archie and Archie will fall in love with her and that will be that, but she won't. She might have been in love before, but this is different. She doesn't wonder what he's doing or if he's thinking of her; she wonders how he's feeling and if he's sleeping enough and she thinks of him instead. And Jason Blossom might have been the catalyst, but the reaction won't be ending anytime soon. She wanted to be perfect, but he is perfect, and that's enough for her.
He falls in love with her a little more every day. She knows. She does the same, and together they heal.