Archie knew the exact moment. The exact moment he knew he was in love with Veronica Lodge.
Maybe a part of him had started falling for her the second he'd seen her walk into Pops, her eyes holding his, that mysterious smile on her beautiful face. He'd known he was in trouble when he kissed her for the first time in that closet. He knew that day as she kissed his bandaged hand that she would never be just a friend to him. As he sat on the couch talking to her about his parents and she listened and made him laugh like she always did, kissing her was the only way he could show her how much she meant to him. The morning after they'd slept together, he'd felt lighter and happier than he could ever imagine. He knew then this was different. She had always been different.
And when she held him and refused to leave as he broke down after his dad was shot, he realized he didn't just want her, he needed her.
But the moment, the moment he knew he was in love with her. The moment he realized and also admitted to himself that he was completely in love with this girl was one he would never forget.
She sat on his bed, one leg over his as she tended to his wounds. The night had been messy, juvenile, aggressive and unnecessary.
"Tonight was really messed up Ronnie."
He should have stayed away, he should never have agreed to the stupid fight.
"At least Dilton's going to be alright." She said her voice soft, and he looked up at her.
"Yeah but only because of you." It was all her. If she hadn't shown up, he didn't even want to think what would have happened.
"You saved him Ronnie," he looked at her, realizing again how lucky he was that this girl was still there with him and hadn't run away. "And me."
He felt disgusted with himself as she talked about the gun. If she hadn't been there, if she hadn't kept the gun away from him, he felt sick thinking about what he could have done.
She put her soft, delicate fingers on his chest as she spoke. "I don't believe you would have."
He felt so ashamed of himself he didn't even look up. She held his face gently forcing him to look her in the eye.
"You're not a killer." She said, so softly and gently, looking at him so tenderly and even though he didn't believe it, he could see she did. She meant what she was saying.. As she leaned forward and kissed him, he knew.
I'm in love with Veronica Lodge.
The feeling hit him like a wave coursing through him and he kissed her back deeply, savoring the feel of her lips against his, and as the kiss deepened, she sat up, her legs straddling him and he held her tightly kissing her like she was the only thing in the world that mattered to him because right then she was. Right then he knew that she was the most important thing in his life. As he fell back into the bed, he laughed, still marveling at the fact that she could make him feel happy and light even on the darkest of nights. She giggled and whispered sorry and continued kissing him.
"Archie? Archie!"
He looked up, shaken out of his thoughts. He looked around for a second, dazed. He wasn't in his bedroom kissing Veronica. He was at Pops, Betty sitting across from him, her face looking concerned.
"Are you okay Arch?"
He shook his head trying to gather his thoughts. "Yeah Betty I'm fine. I'm sorry I was just thinking."
She nodded, not looking entirely convinced. "Anyway, I was saying, you need to talk to Jug. He needs you Arch."
"Betty, he doesn't want to talk to me after what happened at the race. I don't know if I'm ready to talk to him either."
"I know. But with everything's that going on, he's going to end up doing something reckless. I can't take care of him right now. It's not me he needs. It's you. And Veronica and I have some important to do today anyway."
He raised his eyebrows. "Which is what?"
"It's nothing Archie, she's just helping me with this theory I have."
"About the Black Hood?"
Betty nodded, her face serious.
"Could this important thing you're going to do be dangerous?" he asked, already sure of the answer.
Betty looked down, avoiding his eyes.
"No. You're not doing it." He said, his jaw set.
"Archie please we'll be really careful. This is important."
"Okay then tell me what it is."
Betty looked down. "Archie, I can't. But we'll be fine!"
"No! No way. I'm not going to let you guys do whatever it is you're planning to."
"Let us?" an extremely familiar voice said from behind him, teasing yet with an edge to it.
"Hey B," said Veronica sliding into the booth next to Archie, reaching over for one of his fries. "What's this about not letting us do something Archiekins?"
He returned her daring look, holding her gaze. "You guys are not going to do something dangerous searching for the Black Hood. Did you two learn nothing from what happened with the Ghoulies?"
"Okay, I admit our plan to get into the Ghoulie headquarters was flawed, but nothing happened." Said Veronica unfazed.
"Nothing happened because Jughead and I happened to be there and they let you go with us!"
Veronica waved her hand dismissively. "Nothing would have happened anyway. Betty and I can take care of ourselves Archiekins."
He narrowed his eyes at her. "You were the one who was so against me racing the Ghoulies but this is okay?"
"This is completely different! And if you remember, I didn't exactly chain you to the bed did I? I was right there cheering you on." She said, smirking.
"I promise we'll be careful Archie." added Betty earnestly.
Archie stared at Veronica.
She rolled her eyes. "Yes, yes I promise too."
"If anything goes wrong, like anything at all, you call me immediately. Alright?"
"This isn't the 1950's Archie, we can manage ourselves for one night without help from our Prince Charmings."
He continued to stare. "I'm serious Ronnie. Please."
Her face softened as she looked at him. She gave his hand a little squeeze and smiled. "I promise Archie."
He sighed. There was no way he could talk them out of it anyway.
Veronica smiled brightly. "Okay I'm off, I'll see you tonight B."
She leaned forward kissing him lightly on the lips. "Bye Archiekins."
He wrapped an arm around her back holding her in place as she moved to get up. He leaned forward and kissed her hard. His hold on her back tightened as she kissed him back with equal fervor. He pulled back, his face an inch away from hers. "Just make it back to me Ronnie."
She smiled, the words an echo of what she had told him before the race. "Always Archiekins."she whispered.
She smiled at both of them and slid out of the booth gracefully. Archie watched her go till she left Pops, the bell clanging behind her. He sighed and turned to look at Betty who was looking at him her mouth slightly open.
He raised his eyebrows at her. "What?"
She continued to stare at him, her expression unreadable. "You're in love with her aren't you?"
Archie didn't know what to say. He knew he was, but he hadn't even said it to Veronica yet he didn't know if he was ready to say it out loud to Betty. He wasn't even sure how she would react.
But he couldn't lie. Not to Betty. And not about this. He just nodded.
"Wow." Betty whispered.
"Look Betty I'm sorry, I don't want you to feel weird. I know you're with Jug but I don't know if it'll bother you and-" he broke off as he saw her smiling.
"What?"
"Oh Archie, I just can't believe it. You're in love. I mean, you've never been in love before!"
He blushed slightly, and smiled. "Yeah, I know." He looked at her searchingly. "You sure you're fine right? With this?"
Betty smiled and nodded. "I really am Archie. You know how much I love you. And Veronica. I'm really really happy for you."
He grinned. "Thanks Betty."
"You haven't told her though have you?"
He shook his head. He wanted to. He wanted to tell her so bad but he'd never done this before. He was terrified.
"I just don't know if she feels the same way."
Betty grinned. "Oh Archie are you kidding? Of course she does. Veronica Lodge does not let her guard down very often with anyone but with you she almost never has her guard up."
He smiled, hoping Betty was right.
"Just, take care of her today okay? Whatever it is you guys are doing. I can't," he looked down, the memories of almost losing his dad coming back. He couldn't lose Veronica.
Betty took his hand and squeezed it. "I know. She'll be fine. I promise."