Flowers. The smell of flowers was surrrounding Fred Andrew's small hospital room. The fragrance was so strong, it was almost reassuring- like it would make you believe that everything is fine.

"Or that I'm attending a funeral." Jughead Jones would say.

This was the doing of none other than flower enthusiast and girlfriend, dare I say, of Archie Andrews, Veronica Lodge. Every time she visits, she would bring flowers. By every time, I mean everyday. She took it upon herself to bring at least a stem of rose or anything. Sometimes, she would buy bouquets. Today, she brought tulips.

Tulips in her hands, she was waiting for Archie to open the door.

"Just a second, Veronica." Archie was cleaning up his mess. 32 seconds after (she counted), the door goes open and inside was redheaded Archie not looking as good as he must look. "Hey."

Veronica forces a smile to greet him. "Can I come in?"

"Yeah," he replied as he let her enter. "Sorry it's a bit of a mess here. Again." Some of his clothes fell off his bag as it looks like he just piled them up from the floor before he opened the door for her. There were 2 trays of food on the table.

He hasn't eaten yet. Again, Veronica thought. "It's fine, Archie." She pretends not to see it and proceeds to replace some flowers she brought with the tulips she has now.

"You brought flowers." As if surprised, he says.

"Not for you though, David Blaine. Sorry to disappoint you."

He didn't reply after that. He probably didn't understand what she said or his mind was off somewhere or he didn't want to talk. Archie hasn't been much of a talker these past few days.

The silence was awkward. It always have been. There were so many thoughts in Veronica's head. So many questions, worries, things she has been keeping to herself. But silence was better. Or rather the silent beeps of Fred's heart monitor was better.

"Have you eaten yet?" She asks as if she doesn't know.

"I haven't."

"Let me join you for dinner then."

She ordered food for them. (Hospital food sucks. Also, they were already cold.) And they waited for their food. They talked with awkward pauses and silences. Archie's replies were short but he tried his best to be more enthusiastic. He asked Veronica questions as well just to seem like he was okay and to keep the conversation going. She appreciated that he was trying despite Fred's situation. She knew he was really trying his best to act like everything was fine and so she answered him like they were living their normal lives.

Still, despite the reassuring scent of flowers surrounding the room and their "normal" act, fear can be felt. Veronica and Archie- they were both afraid. Archie- afraid of forever losing his father and Veronica- afraid of losing one of the only people she has to darkness and sadness. Maybe fear was surrounding the room. Not the fragrance.

Food arrived and they ate. Short conversations. Awkward pauses. Fred Andrew's heart monitor. Fear. Repeat.

Archie managed to eat everything in his plate. (Thank God.) Veronica offered to clean up after they ate. Archie fixed his things and sat down. He turned on the television but he really wasn't watching. His eyes were focused on the floor. Or rather, they weren't focused at all. Poor Archie.

Veronica just finished cleaning up when she saw the look on Archie's face. Blank. Like he was almost numb. Or that he was hiding the emotions inside. The sadness, the anger.

She washed her hands and then sat next to him. She just sat there not saying anything but offering her presence to Archie. She gently laid her hand on his shoulder as if saying "I'm here". He didn't move or budge or anything. His face was down.

Silence. Heart monitor's soft beeping. Silence. Heart monitor's beeping.

Her hand was still on his shoulder. Then he did something unexpected. He removed her hand from his shoulder and held it. They locked fingers and it felt good. It felt like the only good thing in the world for now.

Uncertainties filled the room and yet this felt certain. Archie knows for sure.

"Thank you, Ronnie."

She put her head on his shoulder and he did the same. They were both leaning on each other.

No more words were said that night.

Soon, they fell asleep with their backs against the wall, not knowing what tomorrow will bring.

a/n: hi how was that? what did you guys think? I am a big Veronica and Archie shipper my gosh. I WILL POST SWEET VARCHIE SOON. Please review? Thanks! ?