Where are my fellow archosie warriors at?

Also, more cheryl x archie interactions because i love my redheaded children. I feel like what they need aside from therapy is each other. I love a good brotp. I kind of wanted them to have this friendship where they talk about each other's traumas and yall know it's what they deserve. Also, this chapter is more Toni centric. I kind of wanna do a back and forth POV cuz u know i aint really picking any damn side.

also, can u tell i love camila cabello? chapter is kind of, a little based of THAT song.

So yeah. Without further ado.

x

Toni woke up today with a terrible back sore. She's slept in much horrible places before but she guesses it was because her lower class back got used to her girlfriend's super upper higher class' mattress. Damn, Toni thought.

Despite that, she's sort of in an okay mood today. She's gonna try and talk to her girlfriend today, try to sort out things little by little. She does miss Cheryl.

It's crazy how a few weeks ago, she wants nothing but her own personal space, wants nothing but to establish herself, and do things for herself. But now all she wants is Cheryl. She misses all the little things about her girlfriend. Like how she never fails to give Toni a kiss in the cheek right after her morning jog. How she sleeps with her mouth slightly hanging open, not in a weird way but in the cutest possible way. How super obsessive she gets when studying for a test. How she takes care of her. God, she misses everything about her girlfriend. Her smile, her laugh...oh god, that sexy laugh. And those lips. Toni still thinks it's illegal to possess such sexy and kissable lips. And the brunette knows exactly how they feel on her neck...on her stomach...on her—oh sweet baby Jesus.

Toni's thankful the speakeasy has showers. For showering and...other things like, you know...trying to ease the tension.

x

Archie and Josie offered to pick her up to school. Cheryl said no. Not because she's trying to shut them out but she really, genuinely feels fine driving on her own. In fact, she's kind of warming up to the thought of going places alone. She was so used to having Toni with her that doing things by herself feels like new territory.

Archie Andrews [6:55am]: are you sure, cher?

Me [6:57am]: yes, archie. I'm sure. I'll see you at school.

It feels weird getting attention from people other than Toni. It's a weird feeling, but not at all unwelcomed.

She arrived at school a little earlier than she should and surprisingly enough, Josie was there before her. She waved, waiting for her at the front door.

"Hey you." She said, greeting her friend.

"Hey."

"Never thought I'd see the day Josie Mccoy become the early worm."

"Figured we could walk to class together. And hey! When was I ever late?" The brunette laughed as the two stepped foot inside the halls of Riverdale High.

"Um...Josie—"

"Yeah no, don't answer that."

The two girls laughed. Cheryl couldn't remember the last time she spent time with Josie and they just talked about what normal teenagers talk about, not like serial killers or weird board games that push people into suicide. Not her heartless mother sending her to conversion therapy.

She thinks she needs to do this more often.

When Cheryl got to her locker, Toni wasn't at hers, thankfully. It wasn't long until she felt Josie lurking behind her, with Archie in tow.

The redheaded boy walked the two women to where their first period is but not without Josie planting a 'see you later' kiss on Archie's cheek.

X

Toni sat with the Poisons during lunch. She thought it was weird seeing Cheryl, Archie and Josie sitting together. More importantly, she thinks it's weird seeing Cheryl laugh like that in front of anyone else but her. For a moment there, she felt jealousy bubbling in her stomach. But she does look good. It does look good on her. Happy looks good on Cheryl Blossom.

"We've been through this, babe. Everything looks good on me."

She didn't even realize she's zoned out and staring at her girlfriend creepily. Not until Peaches threw a fry on her face.

"Yo boss. When are you getting back with Red? We kind of like you more when you were together. The pining kind of does not look good on you."

"What do you mean?" Toni asked, throwing a french fry back at her.

"I mean, you both look miserable—"

"No, I mean…" oh shit. Why the fuck is she just realizing this now? "You think we broke up?"

"Uh...didn't you? It's what everyone's been talking about. Hashtag choni is no more."

"No!" Toni exclaimed. "No. We didn't break up. We just needed to take a little break."

Peaches and the other Poisons looked at her like she grew a second head. "Uh, well that's not what everyone thinks?"

"What? She's still my girlfriend, it's just—we just...I just thought moving in together isn't the best for us right now."

Of course, it's what everyone thinks. Wait, does Cheryl think—oh no, of fuck no.

Toni is standing up before she's fully aware that she is. There's nothing on her mind but Cheryl. Cheryl. Oh god, her girlfriend thinks they broke up. She needs to get to her girlfriend.

Still dazed, Toni's legs started moving and walking to where Cheryl is seated with Archie and Josie. Somewhere along the way, their eyes met and Toni knew what a scared Cheryl Blossom looks like. But before she could get there her view was blocked by tall figure.

"Toni."

It was the boy from last night, at the speakeasy. What the fuck does he want now? Irritated, Toni yelled. "What?!" She yelled a little too loud and now everyone's eyes is on her, including Cheryl's.

Toni looks at her. She looks at her while Josie whispered something in her ear and now the three of them were standing. Shit, they're leaving.

"What do you want, Tim?" She doesn't wanna seem like a bitch but boy, right now isn't really a good time for this.

"Um...it's Tom. And uh, I was just kind of saying hi?" He said, balancing the tray of food in front of her. "I don't really know anyone yet so I was kind of wondering if I could sit with you."

He interrupted her for this?! Toni isn't a bitch, but this shit is really fucking irritating. She was on her way to her girlfriend to clarify things and all this boy wants is to say hi?!

"Well, you really can't 'cause I sit with my gang and you're not exactly Pretty Poisons material so you're gonna have to find a different table, pretty boy."

He smiled at that. And god, does Toni want to wipe that stupid grin on his face right now with that stupid dimple on his right cheek using her fists. "You don't have to be a bitch about it, you know." His voice was mocking.

Toni rolled her eyes. "Are we done?"

"You're not gonna ask why I know you're name?"

"Would I like the answer?" Toni replied, folding her arms.

He chuckled, shaking his head. He's totally flirting with her. And if he thinks this tactic is going to work on her, he's an idiot. "Don't worry, I'm not some psycho stalker. I asked one of the girls wearing the exact same jacket that you are."

Toni sighed exasperatedly, "Why are you so interested?"

"Maybe you remind me of someone."

Toni eyed the boy carefully again. He's really not bad in the eyes. He's actually really good looking. But having a second look at him, he kind of does look familiar. Like she's seen him before. Maybe the Southside?

But onto more important matters, she can't do this right now. She needs to figure out ways to talk to her girlfriend. They have the next period together. Okay, right, she's going to start there.

Toni left not even bothering to say another word to the boy.

x

"Hey, we still up for Pop's after class?" Josie asked.

After Toni's little outburst at the cafeteria, the brunette suggested that they leave, sensing both Cheryl's anxiety at the possibility of talking to Toni and curiosity to find out who was the guy she was talking to.

"Actually, I really have somewhere to be after class. After the red paladin quest, Mr. Lodge left me this really old gym at Seaside. The place needs a little more fixing and cleaning." Archie said. "You guys go without me."

Right. Archie has that thing...he went to juvie for a crime he didn't commit and got branded as sacrifice there. That's all Cheryl knows.

"What happened, Archie?"

"Well, me, Jug and Betty got the word out for all G&G players who have the quest to kill the Red Paladin that there is some kind of tournament. I have to beat them all at boxing to get them to give up their quest cards." The redheaded boy explained. "So yeah."

"Archie...I'm...I'm so proud of you." And Cheryl meant that. He was so busy checking in on her and Cheryl forgot he's got some stuff too. It wasn't easy what he went through, having a gun pointed straight to his head, rushing his father to the hospital, and god only knows what happened to him in juvie. "Let us help."

"What?" Archie laughed.

"Let me and Josie help. With your gym or boxing ring or whatever."

She saw Josie nod at her peripheral vision.

"The cleaning?"

"Yeah."

"Are you serious? Cheryl it's dirty there. Like really dirty."

"Come on we can totally order to go and then help you with whatever cleaning and fixing you need." Cheryl was giddy, which was new. She was rarely eager, especially when it comes to stuff that include dirt. But she's willing to help Archie, it's the least she could do. "Please?"

"Alright." The two girls squealed. "Just as long as you let me teach you how to box?"

Boxing, huh. "I could totally make boxing hot." Cheryl replied, making the boy smile. "Okay, or as teenage boys like to say it, 'I'm down. I'm down, bruh."

"I'm gonna teach you some moves." Archie then proceeded to squeeze her arms. "You've got some muscle. We just have to enhance that."

Cheryl can see how ecstatic the boy is with teaching her to box.

"It's good self defense too."

After talking for a bit more and Josie saying bye to her boyfriend, Cheryl entered the class. The class that she shares with Toni. She tries to ease the anxiety by opening her phone and quickly exiting gallery so she could avoid looking at their pictures. She was scrolling through instagram mindlessly, reading posts about the recent gossip on Kylie Jenner and Khloe Kardashian when the door busted open revealing a very out of breath Toni. She tried averting her expression back on her phone, but Toni….she was in front of her.

"Cher."

Cheryl fixed her eyes on her phone like superglue. She didn't need this heartbreak right now.

"Cheryl, please look at me. Can we talk?"

The redhead can not only feel Toni's eyes on her but also the whole classroom's. And so slowly, she looked up, her face empty of any emotion.

She took a deep breath first. "Toni. What do you want?"

"I wanna talk, please. Outside." The brunette clutched her duffel bag harder on her chest.

"I'm not certain I can do that."

"Cheryl, please. Don't do this to me."

Don't do this to me. Cheryl feels her blood literally boiling in her veins. She's going to go all HBIC on Toni, she can feel it.

"I'm not doing anything to you, Topaz."

Toni laughed bitterly. Is this what it has come to? All she wanted was her personal space. She's homeless, for Christ's sakes. She just wanted her old self back. She wants to call Cheryl childish, she wants to tell her how immature she's being. But she's not about to make a scene. Or start a scene herself. So she says, "Do you have anything to do after class? Let's grab a bite at Pop's before my shift."

"I have plans. Sorry."

"Cheryl...please." She's starting to get irritated. Because Cheryl had to do this to her. In front of everyone. Toni could even bet someone was recording their little exchange and posting it later in their instagram story with the hashtag "chonifight" hashtag "teamcherylblossom" hashtag "cherylblossomdefensesquad". And in all honesty, Toni feels like an idiot for getting rejected like that in front of everyone. An absolute fucking idiot.

Thank fuck Miss Fabray entered the room, diverting all the attention on her. Thank fuck she's careless and had scattered the papers she was carrying or Toni would've died of absolute awkwardness. She doesn't exactly know where to go from the zone where Cheryl had rejected her.

"Alright, alright. Settle down. Call me Edward Scissorhands…shame me. It's done." She said picking up the last piece of paper off the floor before looking at Toni. Toni blinked twice, thrice...oh...oh shit. "Miss Topaz! I said settle down."

The whole class laughed.

Oh dear god, kill me now.

x

Me [2:33pm] : cheryl let's talk please.

Me [3:15pm] : you clearly misunderstood everything. Just let me explain.

Me [3:16pm] : babe, let me explain.

Me [4:37pm] : i just wanna talk, cheryl. It's hard to explain here so please.

Me [5:01 pm] : babe, at least don't turn off your phone so i can call

Me [5:08pm] : i know you said you have plans but let at me at least call baby, please. You totally got it all wrong.

Toni scrolled through the rest of the messages. The last text she got from Cheryl was from four days ago.

Babe [11:34pm] : i miss you, tt. I want to be awake when you get home but my eyes feel incredibly heavy right now. Your dinner is in the microwave, heat it up if you get hungry. I love you. Get home soon, pls.

And Toni wants to choke slam herself for her reply.

Me [11:56pm] : don't wait up. Gang's staying for a few more drinks.

"'Don't wait up'? Really, Toni?!" She muttered to herself. "'Gang's staying for a few more drinks'?! What. The. Fuck. Got into you?!" She wants to beat herself. She doesn't know when or how she started to be a fuckboy. Because this shit, only a fuckboy would reply this kind of shit to their girlfriend, who wants to wait up for them and prepared dinner for them. You are an idiot, Topaz!

She heard Peaches laugh beside her.

"What?"

"You got it bad, boss."

"Shut up."

"Why won't you get back with her already? I can tell it's killing you both."

"For the last time," Toni took a deep breath, "we're together. We're still together. We're just on a break."

"But why?"

She's never actually spoken to Peaches or other members of the gang about stuff like this. But like what she wants them to be, a sisterhood, maybe it's time to let her guard down around them. Like what she did when she was in the Serpents. "Because…we've been fighting a lot. And I moved out because I wanted my own personal space."

"And yet, you're the idiot bombarding her text messages and jumping up and down every time your fucking phone goes off." Peaches chuckled. "You're like a lost puppy waiting for her master."

Sometimes, this girl can really get on her nerves. Is that what she really looks like? Is that what she really does? "I just worry about her, okay? She isn't good with being alone. I'm her first real relationship."

"Probably why she thought you guys break up."

"Yeah."

"You still love her?"

"I really do." Toni said, looking down.

"Don't text her."

"Huh?"

"Don't text her. Just go talk to her. You blowing up her phone will just make her think that you want her back and that the break is over. If you wanna clarify things with her, just go talk to her. Tell her exactly what you want, that you guys aren't broken up, you just need a little break from each other."

Toni blinked twice. She couldn't believe Peaches was right. Maybe she has tolerated her girlfriend's need for attention a little too much. Instead of really talking to her about it, she kind of went off of it the wrong way. Dodging her was rude and childish. In her defense Cheryl did say some pretty hurtful things about their living situation when she tried to talk to her about her "loose canon behavior". And that's another thing she wants to talk to Cheryl about. Every time her mental health issue comes up or something about the same lines, she gets defensive. The past year hasn't been good for her poor girlfriend after all.

So maybe Toni could've done things differently. In hindsight, she knows she could've made a better choice. Maybe she should have said yes over that trip to Mont Blanc and rescheduled her roadtrip with the Poisons. She could have easily taken that chance to have a proper conversation with her girl. Maybe she should have reassured her that night she walked in on her karaoke thing with Veronica.

"You better hurry up, boss. If Red thinks you're broken up for another twenty four hours, she's gonna think it's really over. You better get your girl, boss, before I do." She teased.

Toni landed a solid punch on her arm.

"Ow! There's no need for that."

"Thanks, P."

"Anytime, boss."

X

"What's that smile for?"

Cheryl's lips couldn't help but curl wider at Archie Andrews' question towards her. She carefully placed her phone on her back pocket, Toni wants her back. At that thought, her smile progressed into a full grown smirk. "Oh nothing, Archie. Where do you want these?" She said in the most innocent tone she can muster. That caught Josie's attention as well. The three of them have been cleaning for hours.

"You know I can't help but notice you always checking your phone. Is it Toni?"

Cheryl stopped in her tracks. There's no accusation on his tone at all but hearing Toni's name like that made her knees kind of wobble. Archie Andrews is reading her like an open book.

The redhead cleared her throat. "She's been...wanting to talk."

"Yeah?" Archie asked, taking another metal plate and moving it over to the neat stack at the corner.

Cheryl nodded. The redheaded boy sensed Cheryl's anxiety over the subject and he's not about to pressure her into talking about something that she's not comfortable with. "You know this still kind of amazes me." He said laughing. "You did everything. You sweeped and mopped the floors, you helped Josie wash the walls…"

The other redhead took a long breath. "Well, trust me, they made me do much worse things inside that hellhole for troubled youths…" She said before she even thought about it. She can feel her palms sweating against the material of her work gloves. She's never talked to anyone about what happened to her while she was with the sisters. It's just Toni…

"We don't have to talk about it if you're not comfortable." Archie said with another reassuring smile, which Cheryl reciprocated.

"I'm gonna go ahead and pick our food up from Pop's." Josie said catching both redheads' attention. She looked at them both for approval and of course, Cheryl had to say something.

"Don't worry, Josie. I only kissed Archie once, the turning point of my gayness. And as hot as I look right now…" She said pointing to her body. She wore a tight, worn out overall-shorts that she found deep inside her closet with a red cropped top inside that exposed her bare waist. "I'm done…." She slowly dragged out, pointing to Archie. "...playing for that team."

Josie couldn't help but chuckle. "I'm not worried…"

Cheryl raised an eyebrow at her best friend, which made the brunette giddy and flustered.

"But yeah, you do look hot." Josie said absentmindedly.

Cheryl gasped rather exaggeratingly, "Josie Mccoy, are you checking me out?"

Josie's eyes went wide. Of course, Cheryl's gonna tease her about it. She's actually kind of glad they're at that point where they can joke about Cheryl's tiny obsession over Josie. She did regret the things that she's done.

"Get out of here, girl."

Josie laughed and Archie watched the playful banter between the two girls awkwardly.

"Do I even need to ask?" Archie grumbles as he haphazardly threw his work gloves over the neatly stacked metal plates. The two laughed. "Square up, Blossom."

"What? Archie!" Confused, Cheryl followed Archie over to the ring.

It's like they've fallen into their own little world. Cheryl never thought spending time with Archie Andrews could be this good. Part of her misses Jason and wishes the two could meet. Jason will really like Archie. Another part of her is grateful. If Jason wouldn't have passed away, Archie wouldn't be there to save her that day at Sweetwater River.

And now she's slightly forgetting about the whole Toni fiasco. Boxing is really helping her focus her rage. Her heart soars at the praises that come out of Archie's mouth whenever she's done a perfect (Jab-Cross-Left uppercut-Cross). It's been a long time since she's been this validated and complimented.

After a good half an hour, the two found themselves lying on the floor of the boxing ring, staring at the ceiling, a comfortable silence surrounding them.

Yeah, she's a bit of a mess inside, Cheryl knows she's truly hard to handle. She can be too cruel at times and quick with her words, saying them before thinking about it. She used to be proud of it, using fear as a way for people to think about her. It feeds the attention monster inside her. But it's not like she's not trying to be a better person. When Toni came along, she did everything she could to be better, but she guesses it's easier to succumb to her flaws despite being aware that she might be doing things a little bit wrong.

She was a bitch to Toni when she brought up her girlfriend's living situation, she was a bitch to her when she moped around about the Poisons' new job for Veronica's speakeasy, and the most recent of them all, she was a bitch to her today at class.

"What's going inside that head, Cher?" Archie murmured, almost inaudibly.

"Just…things. You know, Archie, I never got to thank you, like properly thank you for everything that you've done for me."

Cheryl could feel Archie shaking as he chuckled. "It's cool." And then the two shared a long, charged look before they burst into laughter, remembering their little liplock last year. "So, you mind telling me what really happened between you and Josie?"

The other redhead buried her face on her arm, laughing. "Promise me you won't make fun of me?"

"Promise."

X

Toni just finished her shift at the speakeasy and it was nearing twelve midnight. Her motorcycle stopped at the gates of Thistlehouse. She carefully removed her helmet and hung it next to the cherry red one that she carries around for Cheryl. The brunette couldn't help but sigh. She hopes and she prays that this but all go well.

After another long breath, she pushed the doorbell and was surprised when Jane, Nana Rose's carer, answered seeing Cheryl's car parked there.

"Blossom Residence."

"Uh, Jane, where's Cheryl?"

"Oh she said she'll be out with her friends. Left the house before dinner. But she'll be back soon. Did you forget your key?"

Toni's jaw tightened. "Um, nevermind. I'll just wait for her here."

"Don't be silly I can let you in."

"No really, Jane. It's…It's…um…"

There was a silence and Jane going "oh" before Toni cleared her throat. "Okay, then."

She's cool. Toni's cool. She's gonna do this. She's rehearsed this thrice already at the speakeasy. She's gonna talk to her girlfriend and dismiss the information exactly how they are. No blurred lines, no mixed signals.

And surely not ten minutes later, a truck that seems to be Archie Andrews' stopped in front on the gates of Thistlehouse. Toni started shifting from foot to foot, adjusting her stance, a nervous habit that she acquired. It's been a solid minute and Toni guesses they are discussing carefully inside. In a way, she's happy Cheryl's got people now to protect her. She's proud her girlfriend is making an effort to establish relationships outside of their relationship. She just never knew Cheryl would need protection…from her of all people. The truck door open and there she is.

Toni had to squeeze her leg because Cheryl looked jaw-dropping with minimal make up, hair up in a bun, her tight overalls and the exposed skin of her waist. Toni swallowed a lump in her throat. No, sex didn't and wouldn't solve their issues.

She bid goodbye to Archie and Josie and then faced Toni. "Hey."

"Hey."

"I'm sorry about today, TT."

Man, the nickname made Toni's chest hurt. And Cheryl doesn't realize what she said.

"I didn't mean to embarrass you in front of the class."

And Toni believes that. She has to. She has to be the first person to believe her girlfriend. She knows that now.

"I texted you," Of all the possible words Toni could say, that's all she could muster, as if she didn't rehearse everything that she needs to say to Cheryl. She mentally kicks herself.

"Yeah, I was out with Archie and Josie." Cheryl said dismissively. Toni gets why she's being cold and dry right now to be honest. She deserved a kick in the head for her behavior lately. But she can tell Cheryl is waiting. Just waiting for her to apologize and beg to take her back in. And she's not about to do the latter.

"I'm sorry, Cher." And Cheryl waited. "But I'm not gonna stay here for much longer."

In all honesty, Cheryl wasn't surprised. She wanted Toni to stay and she's entertained the possibility. But after spending the day with Archie and Josie today, and boxing, some things changed for her.

"I…don't think you are."

Toni could see her eyes shining and oh how she wants to kiss those tears away.

"Cheryl…" She began, taking a few steps forward towards the redhead. "I'm really sorry for how I acted. I understand how you thought that I'm not your girlfriend anymore…I—I haven't been deserving of that title lately."

Cheryl kept her eyes on the ground, and Toni could only wonder the thoughts forming inside her girlfriend's head. She could clearly see the tears falling down from her face. So she got bold and placed both hands on either side of Cheryl's face wiping her tears with the pad of her thumb. "Look at me." Toni said, carefully tilting Cheryl's face so that their eyes could me. Cheryl tried harder to avert her gaze as more tears fall from her eyes. "Hey. Shh…"

It's K.O. for Cheryl. She's cornered and she couldn't bother to put her fists up for defense. Because Toni is here, she's here. And she's being thoroughly tender and loving.

"I should've chased you…that night. I knew I should've tried harder. I didn't realize sooner that you'd think you could actually lose me. No, not as easy as that. I…I've been a coward, Cher. I'm so sorry." The brunette said, "I didn't consider your feelings and your efforts, and I should have. And I'm so sorry."

"We're not—You…" Cheryl said in between sobs.

"Shh..Yeah, we didn't break up, okay? We're just taking some time apart. This is temporary, babe…"

"But why?"

"Because we need it. I…I need it."

At that Cheryl stepped away at Toni's hold. "So that's—that's it, Toni? Only you get to decide when you want to be in my life and when…when you don't?"

Toni was at a loss of words. The redhead turned around, shaking her head and ready to leave.

"Wait—wait, Cheryl. Please." Toni tried reaching for the redhead's arms but it was carefully slapped away by Cheryl.

"That's…not fair, Toni." She retorted, wiping her own tears. "You should go."

The brunette then frustratingly ran a hand over her hair.

"Toni…" Cheryl said in a much calmer, even voice. "You should go. It's late. Let's talk tomorrow."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Good night, Toni."

Toni watched Cheryl disappear inside Thistlehouse, the house that they once claimed their own, with the regret that for the second time, she didn't chase after her, but also with the hope that tomorrow, tomorrow could bring them closer to okay. Cheryl is open to discuss things. That's what's important.

They're gonna be okay.

X

Hello again! So there u have chapter 2.

Thank u for the kind reviews btw.

I kind of wanted Cheryl's development to be slow as she carefully address her issues one by one. And as for Toni, girl realized she screwed up already.

And as for the requests, just know that I see you all and I'll try to incorporate what I can. So keep em coming. This is my take on what happened and also, what I want to happen so u know, keep the criticisms as constructive as possible lmao, I'm a child.

I'll probably be updating every other day now and I'm still deciding on the number of chapters.

Also, I don't proofread lmaoo. hmu