"How do I look?" Veronica crept into Betty's room and stood in the doorway, arms half-extended, an awkward look on her face.

"What?" Betty dropped the earrings she was holding and spun around, shocked. "Veronica, I've known you for 16 years and you have never once asked me how you looked. The closest I've ever heard you come to asking was when you tried on that vintage Valentino and said 'Could I be more fabulous?' What gives?"

Veronica blushed faintly– another probable first – then balled her hands into fists and planted them on her hips. "I'm allowed to ask my best friend's opinion when we're about to host the first party of the year. What I wear tonight will set the standard for the rest of the fashion season," she said defiantly.

"It's a university in Burnaby, V, not Cher and Dee's first day at Bronson Alcott High." Betty put her earrings on and picked up a mascara wand. "What's really going on? Could it be that Archie's coming over, and the last time you saw him you were wearing ripped jeans and a hoodie?"

The flush deepened. "First of all, I love that show and we should totally have a retro TGIF night, and second...maybe." She all but whispered the last word.

Betty quickly put on lipstick to hide her smile. It was so unlike Veronica to show a vulnerable side, and even more unlike her to have any sort of insecurities about a guy, that Betty was even less inclined than usual to hurt her feelings.

"Do you like him?" Betty rested against her dresser, looking curiously at Veronica.

Veronica gave an exasperated huff and waved her hands aimlessly. "I don't know. Maybe? He's not my type at all, but, I don't know, there might be a spark. He's easy to talk to, and he's pretty hot right?"

"He's definitely pretty hot, but I don't think that's what's got you so flustered. Jughead's no slouch either and you don't seem worried about him."

Veronica perked up at that. "Jughead looks like a walking sin and I fully expect you to get your hands on him and provide a detailed report."

"Sure, Ron. I'll get right on that," Betty scoffed.

"You should. He's smoking hot and you get along like a house on fire." She tapped her finger against her chin thoughtfully. "I wonder if his lips are as soft as they look."

Betty rolled her eyes. "You could always ask him. Anyway, I thought we were talking about Archie?"

"Right. Although, I'm not sure why. We're better than that tired cliché. He's yummy, and I think I like him and what else is there to say? Now, how do I look?"

"Stunning, as always, V." Betty looked admiringly at the dark purple dress. It had a high boat neck and long sleeves, but hardly any back at all. "You'll knock their socks off, coming and going."

Veronica twirled in front of the mirror. "It is pretty awesome, isn't it?"

Betty laughed. "Now there's the Ronnie I know and love."

…

Archie fiddled nervously with his tie, staring at himself in the elevator mirror. "I shouldn't have worn this. I look like a 17-year old playing dress up."

Jellybean and Jughead looked at each other, and then studiously away, each trying – and barely succeeding – not to laugh. Archie had been fretting about his appearance for the entire hour-long bus ride.

"Come on, JB. Don't laugh, just help me out," he pleaded.

"You've left it a bit late, Arch. I could have done a lot more if you'd let me help at home. Still..." Giving Archie an appraising look, she took off her purse and handed it to Jughead. "Hold that, big brother, and avert your eyes."

"Why would I need to avert my eyes, Forsythia. What are you going to do?" Jughead demanded as she turned him to face the corner.

"Just trust me."

He heard Archie's sport coat hitting the floor, then rustling clothing.

"What are you doing? Holy shit your hands are like ice cubes. Jug, do NOT turn around."

"Oh, stop whining, Arch. I'm a professional. Hold still. Really? Do you actually wax your chest?"

Jughead started to whirl around at that, but was stopped by Archie grabbing his shoulder. "Trust me, Jug. For the sake of our friendship, you do not want to see this."

"Oh, there you are wrong. For the sake of me not imagining something much worse than reality, I need to see this. Get that meat hook you call a hand off of me."

"Your funeral."

Taking a deep breath, Jughead turned around. "Yeah, no this is worse. Much worse. Carry on. I'm just going to gouge my eyes out over here."

Jellybean was wrapped around Archie, one hand up his newly untucked dress shirt, trying to break down the starch, and the other in his hair, working some curl into the lightly-gelled style. His tie was around her neck and she'd unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt.

"Really, this is nothing. You should see what happens when I'm measuring for trousers."

Jughead groaned and dropped his face into the corner. "Why couldn't you have stayed ten forever?"

"Time marches on. Anyway, he's done; you can turn around now." She stepped back and studied Archie. "Much better; approachable but still classy. Put your jacket back on. Good."

She took her purse back from Jughead and stuffed the tie inside. "You okay, Jay? You look a little green around the gills." There was a wicked glimmer in her amused eyes.

He leaned against the wall of the elevator and studied the ceiling. "Just contemplating Oedipus stabbing out his own eyes with a toga pin. I can see where he was coming from."

Jellybean rolled her eyes. "You're going to embarrass Archie. I was fixing his outfit, that's all. Don't be so dirty-minded."

"I don't know why you're so bothered, bro," Archie added. "I'm the one that just got manhandled."

Jughead gritted his teeth. "By my Little. Sister. Right in front of me."

The elevator doors opened as they reached the top floor and Jellybean steered Jughead gently onto the landing. "Alright, I'm sorry. Next time I decide to corner a guy, I'll find a closet." She winked at Archie.

Archie laughed and squeezed her into a one-armed hug. "Just run your hands under some hot water first. I'm going to call you Elsa from now on."

"I'm not hearing this. I am not hearing this."

"Apartment 902, right?" Jellybean reached out and rang the doorbell. "Now behave yourselves."

The door flew open to reveal a smiling Betty, several inches taller than she had been while camping, wrapped in a strapless white dress with her hair piled on top of her head. Archie frankly stared at her, and even Jughead did a double take, while Jellybean, muttering under her breath about Neanderthals, stepped forward and offered her hand.

"You must be the pretty grease-monkey with the pigtails and the gym shorts. I'm Jellybean. I assume you know these two codfish?"

Betty laughed and shook hands. "Betty. What a reputation to have preceding me; I had no idea my gym shorts were so interesting." She stepped aside to let them in. "Evening, boys. You clean up well."

"You too, Betts." Jughead grinned, kissing her on each cheek in turn. "Thanks for having us."

"Hi Archie," she said, stretching up to press her cheek to his.

"Hey Betty. This is for you," he said, handing her a box of gourmet chocolates. "Well, you and Ronnie. Hostess gift."

She smiled brightly at him. "Thanks, Archie. Why don't you give it to Veronica? She goes weak in the knees for good chocolate. She's just over by the bar."

"Ok!" he said and headed in the direction Betty indicated.

"Smooth," Jughead whispered. "Should we take our gift to Her Majesty as well?"

Betty whacked him gently. "No, that's fine. We'll just give them a minute."

Jellybean gave her a small gift bag. "It's from both of us."

"You didn't have to do that, guys." Betty pulled a delicate clay vase out of the bag. It was hand-thrown and painted with a vibrant forest scene, all trees and wood fairies. "It's beautiful, thank you so much. Did you make this?"

"JB made it."

Jellybean looked at him strangely. "I threw it. Jay painted it, though."

"I didn't know you paint, Juggie. I love the design."

He shrugged, brushing off the praise. "An homage to the beautiful dryads who rescued us in the forest."

"More flattery." Betty shook her head and put the vase back in the bag. "Is it okay if I hide this in my room for now? I don't want it to get broken, but I'll show Ron later."

"Of course," said Jellybean. "We'll show ourselves in. I'm dying to meet the famous Veronica."

"Thanks." Betty smiled and turned down a short hallway, presumably towards the bedrooms.

"Bro." Jellybean turned and fixed Jughead with a piercing stare. "Brother mine. That's Betty?"

"Yes?"

"Okay, I know you said, and I quote, that Betty and Veronica were 'exceptionally attractive' and that I'd probably want to dress them."

"I did. Don't you?"

She flicked her ink-stained fingernail against his ear. "Of course, I do, you idiot. What you didn't say is that at least one of them was a living goddess. How the hell did you get a girl who looks like that to call you 'Juggie'?"

"My cheerful disposition and great card tricks, obviously. Not that it matters, because we're just friends, but her looks are the least of her charm."

"Oh my God, Jay," she groaned in exasperation. "You're the last true gentleman, and you've got toast for brains. Come on. Let's go see how your description of Veronica matches up."

,.,.,.

Archie found Veronica in a crowded living room, cocktail shaker in hand, laughing at something a long-haired man in a leather jacket was saying. When she saw Archie, she handed the shaker off and came around the bar. "Archie! You found us. We were worried you'd get lost on the mountain."

He leaned down to kiss her cheek. "Hi, Ronnie. Did you grow?" He grinned at her deadly-looking stilettos.

She glowered at him. "Very funny. Don't you know that good things come in small packages?"

"I do know." He handed her the box of chocolates. "Betty said you were in charge of hostess gifts. Thanks for inviting us."

Her eyes lit up at the name on the box. "Ooh, I love these! Thank you! Do you want a drink?"

He surveyed the well-stocked bar. "I'd love one. Rum and coke, please?"

"Coming right up." She pulled a glass off of the bar shelf and quickly mixed the drink. "I'm just covering for Smithers for a minute. He's checking on the caterers."

"Smithers?" Archie asked, accepting the cocktail.

"My father's butler. He offered to oversee the staff for the party and run the bar."

Archie's eyes widened at 'butler' and 'staff'. "I've never been to a college party with staff before," he said.

"Don't look at me like that, Archiekins. I can't help the way I was raised. Yes, I throw money around probably more than I should but it doesn't change anything. I'm still just an engineering geek who reads sci fi and children's literature."

"And runs around campsites with her hair in rollers and knives in her boots," he teased, relaxing. "You shouldn't have to explain yourself. I'm sorry, you just caught me off guard."

"No apologies." She smiled up at him. "You look good."

He laughed uncomfortably. "Jellybean's handiwork. Literally."

"Is she here? Why didn't you tell me? I looked her up when we got home and I think I'm in love. She's amazing." Veronica clutched his arm for balance and craned to see into the crowd. "What does she look like?"

"That's her, there, with the long black hair. She's with Jug. See?"

"I see," she said. "She's stunning. Those two were blessed with ridiculous genes."

Archie studied the pair thoughtfully. "I've never really thought of Jug that way, but JB's pretty and I guess they look alike...don't tell him I said that though. It would go straight to his head."

"Your secret's safe with me. Come on, I want to meet her."

She glided over to Jughead and raised her arm expectantly. "Hello, Jones."

He obediently bent to kiss her hand. "Evening, Queen V. Looking very regal tonight." He straightened up and leaned in to whisper, "Are you still armed?"

"No, just dangerous," she whispered back.

"I can attest to that," said Betty, returning from her bedroom. "V, have you met Jellybean? Jellybean, this is Veronica Lodge."

JB grasped Veronica's outstretched hand. "How do you do, Veronica Lodge." Her eyes sparkled. "It's nice to put a face to the gushing."

Archie made a quiet strangled noise behind his glass, glaring at Jellybean.

Veronica laughed. "Likewise. These two spent a whole weekend singing your praises."

"Oh, good. That's so much easier than trying to make a first impression. Whatever they said, it was all true. I love your dress, that colour is magic on you."

"Why, thank you," Veronica said, striking a pose. "I thought it was rather good, myself. Would you like a drink?

"I'd better start with water. Poor Jughead's had enough shocks for one night. Walk me to the bar?" Jellybean linked arms with Veronica and swept away, the crowd parting before them.

Jughead glanced after them, looking relieved. "Well that went well. I figured they'd either be fast friends or mortal enemies. Something about two suns in the same sphere."

"Don't worry, there's no way that wasn't going to end well. Veronica's been stalking your sister online all week. They're going to be very good friends, whether JB wants to be or not." Betty glanced at Jughead's empty hands. "I need a refill, can I get you anything?"

"One of whatever you're drinking, thanks. Unless it's pink."

"Fragile masculinity?"

"Clashes with my date's hair."

Archie poked his finger into Jughead's chest. "Oh no, you don't get to pin that on me. Pink clashes with your aesthetic, not my hair."

Betty choked back a laugh, taking in Jughead's outfit of unrelieved black. "I'm just going to be at the bar. You two can sort out your lovers' tiff without me. Be right back."

"I hope she brings you something with an umbrella in it," Archie said, elbowing Jughead lightly.

Jughead gave him a 'come on' look. "Betty doesn't strike me as the umbrella drink type."

Archie looked over to where Betty was making polite small talk with one of her guests. "Probably not. Man, though. What a change from last week."

"You and your movie makeovers. Are you shifting allegiance?"

"What? No! I think JB is pretty, too, but that doesn't mean I'm interested."

"Good, because I'd have to kill you," Jughead quipped.

Betty appeared, balancing two short tumblers half-full of amber liquid. "Hope you like single malt," she said, handing Jughead one of the glasses.

"Let's find out," he said, taking an experimental sniff.

"Ooh, a whisky virgin?" Betty teased. "How thrilling. Sláinte." She tapped her glass to his and waited for him to take the first sip, grinning when he winced slightly. "Here," she said, selecting a chocolate truffle from a heavily-laden dessert table, "try this."

He looked askance at the chocolate, but let her drop it into his mouth. Archie's eyebrows disappeared into his hairline and he quickly became very interested in the bottom of his own glass.

"Now try the scotch," she instructed, bouncing slightly on her toes.

Jughead's eyes widened in surprise. "That's incredible. Your weird obsession with chocolate and alcohol is forgiven.

"I know, right?" she squealed. "It's the greatest combination since peanut butter and jelly!"

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Betts. PB and J is in a class of its own. A hundred million first-graders can't be wrong."

"Killjoy." Betty looked around the room and sighed softly. "I should probably mingle some more. Half of these people weren't invited but I guess they are my guests. Will you guys excuse me?"

"Of course," Archie said. "Don't mind us."

"I should find JB, anyway. Make sure she and Veronica haven't gone all Pinky and the Brain on us," Jughead added.

Betty laughed derisively. "We'd be powerless to stop them if they did, but I suppose you should try. Talk to you later." She gave a small wave and wandered off.

"So." Archie said, rocking his feet nonchalantly. "That was something I never thought I'd see."

"What?"

"One of the hottest girls on the planet feeding you chocolate."

Jughead's face remained impassive. "You wound me, Arch. I'll have you know that my grandmother says I'm a very handsome young man, and any girl would be lucky to have me."

"Sure, Jug."

.,.,.,

"You felt him up in the elevator?" Veronica wiped away tears of mirth. "God, I wish I'd seen that. Poor Jughead."

"I said it looked like I felt him up. He didn't give me much time, I had to go for the path of least resistance."

"Uh huh," Veronica said slyly. "Not saying I wouldn't make the same choice, mind you. I got a look last week, and I don't mind admitting that he's crossed my mind once or twice since then."

Jellybean grimaced. "Ugh. My appreciation for Archie's body is purely artistic. He's like a brother to me."

"Well then I won't tell you what I said to your other brother the first time I saw his body."

"What the hell kind of camping trips do you people go on?" Jellybean laughed incredulously. "Was everyone naked?"

Veronica sighed wistfully. "Unfortunately not. Archie was jogging, and Jughead sold his body for pancakes."

"Ah. Yeah, that sounds about right." Jellybean sipped a tequila martini. "So, you and Archie, then?"

"I think so. We'll see." Veronica leaned over the bar and snagged a cherry out of a jar. "Anyway. Tell me about your fashion line. I adore everything you have on Instagram."

"It's not a line yet. I don't have anything commercially available, I'm just trying to build recognition."

Veronica nodded, thinking. "I get that. Well if you ever need someone completely fabulous to wear something of yours, and drop your name all over the place, I'm your girl."

"And if you ever need to wear something one-of-a-kind and completely fabulous, I'm your girl."

"Cheers to that," Veronica said, raising her glass.

"Cheers."

"We're too late, Arch. It's begun." Jughead came up behind Jellybean and caught her head in his hands, kissing the top of it. "What are you two plotting?"

"World domination, of course," Veronica said. "Cherry?"