Veronica woke up to the smell of coffee. She didn't realize she has spent the night. Her mom must have been furious. "Shit."

Archie who was making coffee at 7:16am was startled. "Hey," he looked at her. "Good morning." Somehow, magically, he smiled.

She liked it. She liked that he smiled. "Sorry, uh.."-she was smirking-"um.."-WHY IS HE SO DAMN CUTE FUCKENING okay getting my shit together-"uh Good Morning to you too, Archiekins. Are you making coffee?"

"No, I'm serving coffee. Hospital blend so it won't be the best. I would walk by Pop's if you want me to."

She laughed. "Hospital blend sounds wonderful." She stood up and walked over to her coffee. She blended it the way she wanted to with the creamer and the sugar.

"You slept okay?" Archie asked.

"Considering I slept on a hospital seat cushion that probably has been here since Riverdale has been, yes." She smiled. "That was an amazing sleep." She sipped her coffee. "What about you teen outlan-"

Her phone rang. She went over to get it. Fuck. 23 missed calls from Mom. 16 texts. The latest one read: Where are you? I checked at Betty's and... it went on and on.

Archie asked, "Everything all right?"

"Yeah it's just my.. mom." Hermione wasn't the type who worries so much. She trusts Veronica but she may get furious when she does not tell of her plan. However, this still seem a bit off. Veronica called.

"Mija," her mom answered with a hint of distress from her voice.

"Mom, everything alright? You don't have to worry. I'm here at..."-she wasn't sure what to say-

"I don't care where you are, honey. You have to come home now. I've been waiting for you since last night."

Veronica was confused. "Why, what's the matter?"

"Later." Hermione hung up.

"Hey," Archie said. "What's up?"

"My mom wants me to go home. Like now." She started fixing her stuff.

"I'll come with you." He offered.

She looked at him adoringly. "I can walk myself home, thanks." She finished her coffee. "I mean I would love to but I'd rather not. Besides, Fred needs you here."

"Well, I think I have to get out of this place. You know that. Besides,"-he was mimicking her-"I have to bring you home, I'm your boyfriend."

She was struck. Archie too. The B-word came out of Archie's mouth too fast and he knows it. They haven't really talked properly about the boyfriend-girlfriend thing.

"Um..." Archie was trying to break the awkwardness. He was licking his lips. Veronica was smiling.

There were then knocks on the door. Perfectly saved by the bell. They were both confused as to who that was but still Archie opened the door.

"Hey man." Archie was greeted by Jughead.

"Jughead," Archie then saw he was not alone. "Betty, what're you guys doing here?"

Betty answered, "What, we can't visit anymore? How is he?"

Archie let them in trying to forget the incident that just happened. "He's fi-"

"Veronica," Betty cuts him in. "You're-"

"Leaving actually." Veronica finishes.

"Oh." Betty understood immediately that she stayed the night.

"My mom needs me home so.." she was heading out.

"Let me come with you." Archie still insisting.

Veronica didn't reply. She just looked at him and then at Betty and Jughead.

"Oh come on." Jughead says. "Spare us from this awkward atmosphere. Please."

"Yeah, you guys can go." Betty continues. "Jughead and I will be staying here for a while anyway."

Veronica finally answers. "Fine then."

They walked and talked about the most random things trying to avoid and forget the boyfriend issue. They were walking for about 20 mins now.

"Why did we decide to walk again when my mom said she needs me-urgently?"

Archie laughs. "I actually have no idea." He looks at her then smiles. "I like it." He blurts out.

Veronica smiles. "Me too."

Now, see this: Veronica just moved her bag to the other arm meaning Archie can then hold her hand. They've never actually held hands in public or done cute couple stuff at that matter. After what happened to Fred, all that has been postponed. Archie didn't know if he was the only one thinking about this. He wants to hold her hand but he's afraid she'll find it lame or she won't like his sweaty palms. Did she even like it when he called himself her boyfriend? Why was he only thinking about this now? And why is it awkwardly silent? Ugh, dammit. Nevermind.

They continued walking in silence. Veronica's hand remained there to be held. Archie remembered how they held hands the night before. He remembered how nice it was. How sure he felt. He started walking a little closer to Veronica.

Veronica noticed how close Archie was walking next to her. Their shoulders were brushing each other. She can almost feel his hand next to hers. Are they gonna hold hands now? Are they at that level already? Is that too much? She wants to. Not long enough, Archie slowly reached for her hand.

The hairs of her body were literally standing up.

She held his hand.

They locked fingers. They both looked at it. Then at each other. Veronica has never been so nervous yet so happy in her entire life.

Archie felt like her hand felt like it was shaped especially for him. It was soft and it felt perfect. Everything seemed perfect at that moment. Perfect girl. Perfect weather. Perfect moment. He felt his heart thump in a weird way.

"Ronnie," he began saying.

"Hmm?" she raised her eyebrows.

"About a while ago. I didn't want to sound assuming or anything. It's just that I-I want to. I mean-I'm not sure if you- We haven't really talked about this."

Veronica kept listening.

"Before my dad was shot, I was very happy. My life was perfect. You were my.. girlfriend and I had the best friends." He glanced at her. "But he was.. shot. And everything going on was paused. You see, I still want to be your boyfriend. I still like you. Very much. You were always there. I like this to happen." He was looking at their hands.

Veronica smiled. "Who said we stopped?"

"You mean we are-this is real?" Shock and joy was evident in his question.

"From the moment we laid eyes on each other, Archiekins, we both knew this has to be real. It were your words that you wanted to be a soulmate. A shoulder I can cry on. We just never thought about the B-word." She smiled. "I may have panicked because this is a bit new to me."

"Well, me too" he reassures her.

Veronica glared at him.

"What?"

"You mean to tell me you've never had a girlfriend? That you're new to this? Do I have to remind you of- nevermind."

He knew she was talking about Geraldine. He smiled.

"Why are you smiling? I'm correct. You're already an expert to this. You've been with.. Val and-"

"Ronnie," he cut her. "I've never felt this way to anyone okay? It feels new to me as well. I was smiling because you're cute when you're jealous."

"I wasn't-"

"Oh believe me when I say I've caught you jealous a thousand times when I was with other girls. Even when we weren't together yet." He was smirking.

She laughed. "So you were looking?" She stared. "I was jealous. Now, it's different." Then she was silent. "I'm kind of scared, that's all. This plunge I'm taking." She nervously looked at him.

They stopped walking. They were already in front of The Pembrooke.

Archie held her by the waist. Looking at her intensely he said, "You don't have to be." He kissed her forehead.

They smiled. Then she held his face and kissed him. And he kissed her back. It too was perfect.

Suddenly, a car pulled up in front of them. A black car that looked luxurious. The driver opened the door. Veronica and Archie, both holding hands, looked to see who it was though one of the two already had a feeling who. The man stepped out. He was wearing a coat and a black scarf on his neck. He then removed his sunglasses and smiled. "Welcome me back, Riverdale." he whispered. He then looked at Veronica. "Honey,"

"Dad?"

a/n: i hope u liked this! please review :) i enjoyed writing this one bc i love my varchie babies. yup, hiram's back. and it may be weird that Archie is like smiley now but idk i just want them happy haha pls review? thanks xo