[ he spins on his heel and the entire world shakes as if it too has fallen off its axis. when he sees veronica it’s bittersweet—she’s alive—and the only thing he wants to do is pull her into his arms and never let go again, but he also sees her climbing into that black car without looking back. he doesn’t know what to feel but somehow not hearing what he wants doesn’t feel all that important anymore, all things considered. ]

Uh. No? [ he tries feebly, too honest. ] I mean, nothing worth retelling.

[ he steps ( doesn’t stumble ) back, all casual-like, and pushes his palm against the peephole. real smooth. like oh, hey, nothing to see here. the blush isn’t going anywhere any time soon and if anyone knows what lust looks like on archie, it’s the girl of his dreams standing a foot or two in front of him. veronica doesn’t need shielding, that doesn’t mean he’s ever going to stop looking after her. archie at least makes it appear as if he's leaning against the wall, too, not just standing there awkwardly with an arm out, obviously keeping her from looking. he doesn't actually believe it will deter her. delay her, possibly, but it's veronica and she's going to do what she wants. ]

I can't believe you're here. [ no, it isn't to distract her. it's a genuine admission. the tension seeps out him, eclipsed with relief. he can't believe she's in front of him, that they're at this sexually charged party, that they aren't in riverdale. ]

Veronica, I— [ can't do this without you, love you, miss you, am so glad to see you. ] Can't believe you're at a sex party.

[ archie andrews, a prude of convenience. ]