"Looking good, Arch. Very dapper," Jughead grinned from his spot on the couch. "James Bond would be proud."

Archie examined himself in the hall mirror and adjusted his collar. "Feels like prom, all over again."

"Except this time, you actually listened to Jellybean about the red velvet jacket."

"Are you ever going to let me live that down?"

"Not as long as there's photographic evidence."

Jellybean's door opened and Betty slipped out wearing a backwards flannel shirt with two buttons done up, her hair in hot rollers. "Evidence of what?"

"Archie's longstanding inability to dress himself. How's it going in there?"

"It's going pretty well," she said, turning around to show her back. "Isn't that incredible?"

"Wow," Archie said. "You'd never know there's a tattoo under there."

"I know, eh? Alex is crazy talented." She perched herself on the dining room table and swung her legs back and forth. "You look very pretty, Archie. What's Jughead talking about?"

Archie sighed and opened his mouth only to be cut off by Jughead's sly drawl. "Skeletons in the not-so-proverbial closet, dear Betty. The ghosts of fashion disasters past. We don't speak of it; I just hold it over his head."

"By which he means he does speak of it," Archie said with a roll of his eyes. "All the time, especially if there's a chance he might be overheard."

Betty bit back a grin and changed the subject. "Is there any food out here? Ron said I'm not allowed to eat once my makeup's done."

Jughead nodded, getting up and going into the kitchen. "Leftover pizza okay? Or I could make you a sandwich."

"Pizza's great," she said, following him and peering over his shoulder into the fridge. "Is that beer?"

"Sure is, Gracie Lou. Want one?"

"Yes, please," she said with emphasis. "Ron's mimosas are a hangover waiting to happen."

Jughead passed her a bottle and she twisted the cap off with her shirt. "I'm so not cut out for these fussy events," she admitted. "Give me a pint and a basket of wings any day."

"Amen," Jughead said, grabbing a second beer from the fridge and clinking bottles with her. "You were class defined at that party at your place, though."

She shrugged and traced patterns in the condensation on the bottle. "I can play the part just fine. Ron's mom is the epitome of elegance and she taught us well, and my mom is really big on image so she imparted a few lessons, but I never quite feel balanced at these things."

"I've never been to anything like this, but I'm pretty sure I'll feel the exact same way."

"I'll get you through it, don't worry," Betty said brightly, patting his arm. "There's a reason 'corporate wife' is practically a job title; the only way to survive in that world is with teamwork."

"In that case," Jughead said with an exaggerated look at his watch, " as your honourary husband for the evening, I'm obligated to tell you that we have to leave in an hour."

Betty laughed. "My script says to let you know I'll be ready in five minutes, and then keep you waiting for forty."

"Thanks for the warning."

Jellybean stuck her head out the door and beckoned imperiously. "Ronnie's done, Betty. Your turn."

Betty finished the last bite of her pizza and saluted Jughead with her beer bottle. "Duty calls. See you on the other side."

…

"Dude, stop pacing. You're making Hot Dog seasick." Jughead came out of his room, fiddling with his tie. "Excited to see your Queen?"

"She's your Queen, Jug, not mine," Archie grinned, nudging Jughead's hands out of the way and knotting the tie himself. "And yes. I swear it's not why I like her but there's something about that Old Hollywood glam vibe she gives off."

"They're really something; both of them,"' Jughead said, pulling on his jacket.

Archie stepped back and looked at Jughead curiously. "It's been a long time since you dated. Aren't you nervous?"

"No. What's there to be nervous about? I already asked Betty out, and that's the hard part. We get along great."

"Sometimes I wish I saw girls the way you do, man. Most people worry about the first date. You know, hope it goes well, that they don't make a fool of themselves."

"She's seen me pre-coffee, Arch. I think I've covered that already. Anyway, we've been hanging out all day; the date's already started."

Veronica came down the hall in time to hear the end of Jughead's sentence, unseen by either Archie or Jughead. "Oh, Jones. The date doesn't start until the dress goes on." She paused and thought to herself for a moment. "Leaving just when the date ends up to personal interpretation," she finished with a wink.

Archie jumped and whirled around at her voice, his jaw dropping at the sight of her. "Wow," he breathed. "You look...wow."

Veronica stepped back and spun around, making the mille-feuille skirt float around her ankles. "Jellybean is a genius; this is going to be viral by morning."

"You have that many followers?" Jughead asked.

"Some of my followers have that many followers," she said with a dismissive shrug, carrying the weight of her own influence without apparent effort. "All the right people are going to see this dress. I can't even imagine how much work she put into it."

"Thank you, Queen V," Jughead said sincerely. "That's going to mean the world to her. I owe you one."

Veronica smiled dangerously and turned to him with glittering eyes. "Careful, Jones. You never know what kind of favours a girl like me will call in," she purred.

"I've got your number now. You aren't as scary as you look," Jughead said, bending low to whisper in her ear. "That said, if you ever need a body buried, I know a guy."

"Good to know," she whispered back, pressing her finger to the side of her nose. "I'll keep that in mind."

Jughead straightened up and looked between Archie and Veronica, clearing his throat discreetly. "Sorry," he said. "I'm just going to make sure I turned the oven off. Excuse me." He melted away, leaving Archie and Veronica alone.

"Better than fuzzy pyjamas, eh Red?" she said softly, looking up at him through her eyelashes.

"I have no words," he answered, reaching out and rubbing his thumb across her wrist. "I could stare at you forever."

"Those are pretty good words," she smiled. "Ready to go make people jealous?"

He looped his arm around her waist and pulled her in. "Almost," he said, lowering his head and capturing her lips in a sweet kiss. "Ok. Now I'm ready."

"I just need to switch purses," Veronica said, setting a boxy Hermes down on the back of the couch and fishing a tiny clutch out of it. "You have room in your pockets, right, Archiekins?"

"For what?" he asked suspiciously.

She handed him her phone and keys, and an engraved card case. "That should do it," she said brightly, shoving a pocket knife, some cash and a lip gloss into her clutch. "Thank you!"

"What exactly," he said, tucking her apparent non-essentials into his jacket pocket, "are you going to do if we get separated? Cut down a potted tree and build yourself a shelter-half behind the buffet table?"

"It's not outside the realm of possibility, but I'm sure I'll survive in the ballroom until you find me," she said dryly. "I'm going to go see if JB and Betty are ready, then we can figure out who's driving whom."

"I think Betty and Jughead are going in the truck, and Jellybean is going with Alex," he said, following her down the hall. "You and I can take my car if you want."

Veronica whirled around in dismay. "She's taking the truck? Good Lord, that girl. She can't pull up in front of the Hotel Vancouver in that thing!"

"Uh, she can and she will," Betty said, coming out of JB's room. "What do you have against my truck?"

"It clashes with your dress," Veronica deadpanned.

Betty rolled her eyes and crouched down to adjust her shoe. "I'll park around back, don't worry. Jughead and I are probably going to cut out early, so we need our own vehicle."

"Are you now?" Veronica asked silkily. "What plans do you have that require you to leave early?"

"Those would include not stabbing my eye out with a fork," Jughead said, ambling out of the kitchen, eating a giant pretzel. "My lovely wife has an idea that she claims might be more fun than eating cocktail shrimp and shaking hands with people my agent deems important."

"Your lovely what?" Veronica and Archie exclaimed together.

"Just for the evening," Betty laughed. "You look terrific, honey."

Jughead straightened his lapels and looked smug. "Thanks, dear. I like your hair. Very modern Grace Kelly."

Archie leaned over and muttered in Veronica's ear, "Whaaaat the fuck. What did we miss?"

"Maybe they've been drinking again," she whispered. "Don't try to figure them out, you'll only get lost in the rabbit hole."

"Where's Jellybean?" Jughead asked. "I think I'm the only person in the house who hasn't seen her dress yet."

"She's coming," Alex said, joining the crowd in the hallway. "She wanted to get Betty and Veronica ready before she changed. Apparently, her dress is a, quote, 'pain in the ass', to move in."

The bedroom door opened dramatically and Jellybean sailed out in a cloud of blue chiffon. "And so it is, my dears, but isn't it worth every breath of blue air?" She raised her arms and twirled daintily, trailing her skirts behind her. "What do you think?"

Five identical awe-struck faces stared back at her. Veronica, mouth hanging unattractively open, reached into Archie's pocket and pulled out her cellphone to snap a picture.

"Holy shit," Jughead said.

"Eloquent as always, brother mine. You like?"

Jughead made an odd noise and jerked his head in a half nod, then turned and disappeared into the kitchen. Jellybean looked at the others and shrugged before following him and closing the door behind her.

"Jay? Are you alright?"

His back was to her, and he nodded, dragging the back of his hand across his eyes. "Yeah, kid," he said, turning around. "Sorry. You caught me off guard there."

"Woah. Why are you crying?"

"I'm not crying, I'm teary-eyed. There's a difference," he said with a watery grin. "It just hit me how grown up you are now, dressing people like Veronica Lodge and making a name for yourself. I'm really proud of you, you know? You've done really well."

She crossed the kitchen and rubbed his arm comfortingly. "So have you, Jay. I wouldn't have had the guts to do any of this if you hadn't put your work out there first."

"I love you, Beanie," he said, hugging her tightly. "And I'm so, so proud."

"Thanks, Big Brother. I love you, too."

"You look beautiful."

She smiled modestly. "Yeah, I thought so, too. Come on, Prince Charming, let's get you to the ball."

…

"So they were sober?" Archie asked doubtfully.

"Betty would never drive drunk, not in a million years. She had one beer and didn't even finish it. Which begs the question: were they actually flirting?"

Archie laughed as he pulled into a parking spot. "Jughead doesn't flirt. Aside from the alleged parking ticket incident, I've never seen him be anything but completely straightforward with a girl. So, who knows? Those two are weird." He climbed out of the car and went around to the passenger side to help Veronica out.

"Thanks, Red. Did I tell you how handsome you look? The tux really suits you."

"I could have worn a coal sack and no one would notice. All eyes will definitely be on you." He glanced around the parkade. "Do you know which way to go?"

She nodded and looped the train of her dress over her arm. "This way, oh ye of the silver tongue."

They exited the parkade and blinked, stepping into the bright sunlight. "At least it's not raining," Archie quipped.

"Well it will, now that you've mentioned it," Veronica teased back. She looked around and sighed. "This city, I swear." She walked a few paces and crouched in her fairy-tale dress next to a tired-looking man huddled under dirty blankets. "Hey there," she said cheerfully. "Can I buy you a coffee, or maybe a sandwich?"

He looked up at her and blinked in confusion. Then he nodded his head jerkily and cracked a small smile.

"Hang tight, I'll be right back. Cream and sugar?"

He nodded again, looking at his hands.

"Come on, Red," Veronica said, standing up. "There's a McDonald's around the corner."

Archie followed her at what would have been a brisk trot if not for the eleven inches of height he had on her. Even in her incredibly high shoes, she forced him to lengthen his strides.

"The homelessness in this city breaks my heart, " she admitted. "I'm working on some housing solutions with my Dad's architect, trying to figure out how to incorporate solar energy to lower costs for the tenants, things like that. He's a complete dinosaur though, can't see past dollars and cents." She sighed. "Well, we'll figure it out." She opened the door to the McDonald's and swept up to the counter, oblivious to the stares she was receiving from other customers. "Hello. May I please have a medium coffee, a number 4 and a fifty-dollar gift card? Thank you."

They waited for the meal in silence, Archie watching her face; tense, as though she was trying to figure something out. "Hey," he finally said, taking her hand and pulling her in. "You can't solve every problem in one night, but you're about to make one man's day."

She smiled up at him and touched his cheek. "Thanks, Archie. It's hard not to feel guilty, though."

"You shouldn't. You said it yourself; you can't help the way you were raised. You're trying to make a difference, and that's all that matters." He caught the cashier's eye. "Come on, your order's ready."

They walked back in the direction they came in silence and Veronica stopped to chat with the man again. She finished up by wishing him well and holding out her hand for him to shake. He looked at her in disbelief; her tiny, manicured hand covered in expensive rings, his rough, dirty hand, cold and chapped. "Quite a lady you have there," he said to Archie. "Good luck to you both."

"And you," Archie said, taking Veronica's arm. "Quite a lady, indeed," he said.

…

Jughead watched Betty chatting with his agent, untouched cocktail held gracefully in her left hand ("Never the right hand, Juggie. You don't want a wet handshake."), delighted smile on her face, laughing at all the right moments, coming up with the perfect witty response at every expectant pause. He snuck a surreptitious glance at his watch.

Betty had led him around the ballroom for nearly an hour, bewitching every person he'd been obligated to meet and, as promised, getting him through it in one piece. He could make small talk, if required, and was certainly polite, but he lacked the ability to sell himself professionally. Betty had swept in and done it for him.

His agent excused himself and wandered away and Betty turned to him, smile still fixed in place. "You're actually doing really well," she said. "You were right; you can be charming."

He looked at her in disbelief. "Are we at the same party?"

She laughed and nudged him lightly with her elbow. "The sarcastic gentleman is a highly underrated party trope," she explained. "Makes you look mysterious. Mrs Carter was practically eating out of your hand."

"I'm pretty sure it's about ninety percent you," he said. "You play the part exceptionally well."

"Are there dues to be paid for this mutual admiration society?" she laughed. "Anyway, I have the serious urge to break into the parking lot and take apart an engine right now. Is there anyone else you have to meet?"

"I don't think so," he said. "But we should probably avoid toying with any of the cars in this place. Want to get out of here?"

Betty took his wrist and looked at his watch. "Yup. If we leave now, we'll just make it."

"Are you going to tell me where we're going?"

"Not until we get there."

…

"There's a functioning drive-in here? Are you serious?"

Betty laughed gleefully and pulled into the Twilight's entrance. "Backwards or forwards?" she asked.

"Sorry?"

"Do you want to sit in the cab or the bed? I've got blankets."

"Jellybean will murder you if you get that dress dirty," he said doubtfully.

"I can change, I brought jeans," she said, reversing into a spot. "There's a snack bar if you're hungry. I'm going to go to the ladies'."

Jughead climbed out of the truck and caught her hand as she went past him. "Hey," he said, slouching against the door and drawing her to him. "I never told you this earlier, but you look stunning tonight."

A smile crept across her face and she rested her cheek on her fist, her elbow on his shoulder. "Thanks," she said quietly. "So do you. Very rugged and handsome."

"Not pretty?" he teased, running his hand up her waist.

"Not tonight. You can be the guy." She inched closer to him. "Are you going to kiss me?" she whispered.

He nodded and pulled her in so she was standing between his legs. "I'm just trying to decide on the best cheesy line."

"This I've got to hear," she giggled. "Come on, let me have it."

"Your lips look like cherries," he murmured, tracing her jaw with his thumb.

She played along, leaning in until she could feel his breath on her face. "You and your cherries..."

Then his mouth was on hers, his arms wrapped around her, her hands sliding up his chest and into his hair. His tongue flicked against her bottom lip and she moaned softly, arching into him. His grip on her tightened, one hand cradling her neck, the other dropping below her waist. They heard whistles from the next car and broke apart, breathless.

"Wow," Betty breathed, resting her forehead on his. "I did not see that coming."

"I did," he said, stroking the bare skin above the back of her dress. She shivered and pressed against him.

"I should change," she said, glancing at the movie screen. "The next show will be starting soon."

He reluctantly let her go. "If you say so," he sighed. "Happy wife, happy life. I'll raid the snack bar. You like nachos?"

"With the radioactive cheese sauce? Absolutely."

…

"Oh, dear," Veronica said, stopping mid-dance. "Channel your inner Ziva, Archiekins. Your courage is about to be tested."

"And that's not the scariest thing I've ever heard. What's going on?"

"Veronica!" A voice boomed behind him. "I didn't know you'd be here, Princess!"

She squeezed Archie's arm bracingly. "Hello, Daddy," she said, reaching up to kiss the man's cheek. "Let me introduce a friend of mine, Archie Andrews. Archie, this is my father, Hiram Lodge."

"How do you do, Sir," Archie said, his face red and eyes only slightly wide.

Mr Lodge shook his hand heartily. "Just fine, son, just fine. I haven't seen you before, how do you know my daughter?"

"We met camping, Daddy. Remember, I told you all about it."

"Yes, yes. Are you the artist?"

Archie shook his head. "No, Sir. I'm more of a musician," he said nervously.

"Archie's at UBC, Daddy. He's going to be a teacher," Veronica said proudly.

"Fine profession that," Mr Lodge nodded. "Noble. No one can succeed in life without a good education. Well, I should find your mother, make sure she isn't making any ridiculous promises in my name. Enjoy the evening, Pumpkin. Nice to meet you, Mr Andrews."

"Likewise, Sir," Archie said faintly, watching Mr Lodge walk away. He turned to Veronica with mild panic in his eyes. "Did you know he'd be here?"

She took his arm and led him off the dance floor. "No, but I should have guessed. He probably owns stock in the publishing house. I'm so sorry Archie. Are you okay?"

"I think so. My left arm hurts a bit though."

"He does have that effect on people, but he seemed to like you."

Archie smiled ruefully. "I'm going to be afraid to touch you for the rest of the night. Is your dad a knife guy, too?"

"No," she said serenely, selecting a glass of water from the bar for Archie. "He has people who do that for him."

"Of course, he does," Archie muttered, pulling out a handkerchief and mopping his forehead.

"Do you want to go?" Veronica asked sympathetically.

He checked the time. "The evening should be winding down, we may as well head out. I'll drive you home."

"Or," she said, looking fixedly at his buttonhole. "We could just go to your place."

"You want to come to my place?"

She smiled up at him, blinking coyly. "I think a nightcap is in order, don't you?"

…

Betty climbed into the bed of the truck where Jughead had made a nest of blankets and set out what appeared to be the entire contents of the snack bar. "Hungry, are you?" she laughed.

He raised his arm and let her drop down beside him. "Starving. They don't actually expect people to fill up on those little appetisers, do they?"

"Probably not," she said, snuggling into his side. "Are you planning to share?"

"Of course," he said. "What do you feel like?"

"Surprise me."

"I bet you're a Haagen-Daz kind of girl," he mused, handing her an ice cream. "And we need to eat those first so they don't melt."

She took it from him and unwrapped it carefully. "Thanks. So Ron texted me while I was in the ladies' room. Her dad was at the gala."

"No kidding? Is Archie still standing? He doesn't have a great history with meeting the parents."

"For now," she smirked. "Ron invited herself over for the night."

"Ooh scandal. I can't wait to face Archie over breakfast," Jughead said with obvious delight.

Betty laughed and took a bite of the ice cream. "He specifically requested that you not come home until after he leaves to drop Veronica off, probably for that very reason."

Jughead turned to look at her, eyebrows raised in amusement. "Is this some kind of girl-plot? Veronica calls in a favour and you get to take me home without being obvious?" he teased.

"Dream on," she scoffed. "You can have the couch."

"Yeah, that's kind of what I thought," he said, squeezing her shoulder. "I'm not that easy anyway."

…

"Morning, Red," Veronica murmured, rolling over and kissing his scruffy cheek. "Sleep well?"

"Never better," he said, circling his arms around her and shuffling closer. "You?"

"Mhm," she said, sighing contentedly. She propped herself up on her elbow and looked at him. "I was thinking."

"What were you thinking?" he asked, carding his fingers through her tangled hair.

She smiled and trailed her nails up his chest. "Next time I introduce you, 'friend' probably isn't the description I should use."

He laughed, kissing the top of her head. "I think we might be past friendship," he agreed. "Am I allowed to say that Veronica Lodge is my girlfriend now?"

"I think that's a much better word."

…

Jughead rolled over and found himself face-to-knee with a pair of very long, very toned legs. His eyes widened and he blinked several times, rubbing his face with his hands. He looked up, up, up and found a grinning Betty standing next to the couch in her pyjamas. "Hey," he rasped, looking bewildered.

"Morning, sunshine," she teased. "Coffee?"

"God, yes," he said, stretching and swinging his feet to the floor. "Please and thank you. What time is it?"

"Almost 11. I didn't want to wake you, but Ron called and she's on her way home. Archie said he'd take you back with him." She went to the kitchen and came back with a large mug of coffee.

"Thanks," he said, taking it from her. "I don't even remember falling asleep."

She curled up next to him, tucking her legs underneath herself. "You fell asleep on my shoulder half-way through Rear Window," she explained. "I tried to wake you, but you sleep like the dead."

"Yeah," he said, scratching the back of his neck. "I've been told that. Why were you trying to wake me?"

"I wasn't actually going to make you sleep on the couch. I have a king-sized bed."

"Huh," he said, sipping his coffee with a grin. "I think that's the first time I've ever regretted my ability to sleep through anything."

"Don't read too much into it," she laughed. "I made pancakes. Want some?"

His stomach growled and he laughed, spilling some of his coffee. "I guess that's a yes, please," he said, wiping at the spots on his shirt.

"I'll get you a clean top. I went through a grunge phase in first year. I'm sure I have something that will fit you," Betty said, climbing off the couch.

He stood up and wandered into the kitchen, pulling off the dress shirt and rinsing it under the faucet.

"Here you go – oh." Betty came into the kitchen, tee shirt in hand and stopped short, face flaming red, looking anywhere but at Jughead.

"Something wrong?" he asked, leaning against the counter and folding his arms over his chest.

"Nope. Not in the least," she said, sneaking a glance and biting her lip. "Here, this should do."

"Thanks," he said wryly, taking the shirt and shrugging it over his head. "What does the S stand for?"

"So many things, Juggie. I'll tell you some day."

Notes;

The Twilight Drive In is a real place. It's in Aldergrove, about an hour outside of Vancouver. It is where they filmed the Riverdale scenes. It's awesome.

Hope you enjoyed this extended piece of fluff; I decided to end it like a bad romance novel, so I hope no one minds the turn in tone.

Thanks for reading!