#i spend more up-close time w the chickens anyway but especially since my dad got hip surgery 2 weeks ago

[britneyshakespeare]

i think one of our hens is actually a rooster

[cvastals]

i brought forrest in like a month n a half ago then panic dropped him bt hes back w a vengeance......... this intro is fully jst copy n pasted from when i originally posted it bt . tosses it out anyway in case anyone hasnt read it before winks n struts into the sunset

* zethphan smith-gneist, demiboy + he/they | you know forrest abbott, right? they’re twenty-two, and they’ve lived in irving for, like, their whole life? well, their spotify wrapped says they listened to bizarre love triangle by new order like, a million times this year, which makes sense ‘cause they’ve got that whole golden retriever excitement when someone strikes up conversation, paint streaked overalls worn without care, polaroids of places travelled scattered across the wall thing going on. i just checked and their birthday is october 23rd, so they’re a scorpio, which is unsurprising, all things considered.

background.

for 10 years it was just forrest and his mama lydia in their cozy little trailer at lilac ridge, he’s never met his dad who left as soon as he discovered she was pregnant, not really interested in raising a kid with someone who struggled to get by even while working three jobs

from a young age forrest had to take care of himself since his mama worked sm, but he always got the concept that it was for him to live a good life and necessary for them to get by, she rly showed it well by making sure he knew how much she loved him whenever she cld b around :’)

it was around this time that things were starting to look up - his mama met a really nice man named marcel n while things moved really fast for them they seemed to be a perfect match, soon she was engaged and giving birth to triplets and they even moved into his place in aquila drive, everything was coming up roses

unfortunately as soon as things were good they sort of came to an immediate crash - lydia n marcel tried for another bebe before their wedding but she ended up having a miscarriage :( this sort of sent her into a depressive spiral for a really, really long time

it was bad enough that marcel eventually had enough, she wouldn’t take her medication, wouldn’t talk to a therapist, couldn’t even get out of bed, so he said she had to shape up or go back to their place in lilac ridge, and stubborn as she was she packed everything up that night and the 5 of them went back to their little trailer, this time with a lot less room and a lot more responsibility on forrest’s shoulders

since he was about 14 he’s juggled an abundance of jobs to help his family, it was especially hard when they moved back to lilac ridge, he mostly took care of his little brothers and mum when he could but he had school and work on top of it, it rly was the sort of stress no one shld go thru but he did at a rly young age for quite a long time

details.

still lives at lilac ridge w his family, his mum got a pretty well paying job as a psw but it’s still difficult when u have three 12 year olds running around so forrest watches over them a lot while working as a tour guide at the aquarium, selling art pieces at community events, and odd photography jobs, whatever will put money on the table

grew up incredibly shy and pretty anxious, he’s just used to people leaving so it’s hard for him to trust but he’s also a classic golden retriever boy, if people give him an inch he’ll take it right away but he struggles with approaching people himself, definitely wasn’t too popular in school bc of this

did a double major at the community college for photography and visual arts :yum:

he tries not to doo Too many photography jobs cuz he loves it more as his escape than anything, travels around irving a lot to find random locations and will just spend hours taking pictures, u cant see any of the walls in his tiny bedroom theyre jst covered in his own pictures and art

could paint for hours too tbh, does a lot of art classes whenever he has time and money to spare

has never been in a relationship or even with anyone, the most he’s done frankly is casual make outs at parties or wtvr, always kinda chickens out if it ever goes any further……….. has not picked up on the fact that hes a demisexual/demiromantic king<3 probs doesnt even kno what that is LKSHDGKLHSDG

bc of this wtvr friendships hes made hes definitely romanticized, frankly by accident, he can just grow attached quite easily and since hes demiromantic anytime hes ever had a crush on someone its been ppl hes close to n has learned to trust. it confuses him a lot. LKSDHGKLHSDLG

constantly walks around in paint covered clothes.

obsessed w 80s pop its easily his fav genre (taste)

ok i think thts all……….. i hv rn……………….. lks around hands on hips

connections.

childhood friends!!

also ppl who forced their way into his life, basically jst approached him first n as soon as they showed him any sort of kindness n affection he was automatically like . ok we’re attached fr life sis<3

neighbours at lilac ridge?? mayhaps??

ppl at parties who’ve made a move or he’s hooked up w but when it came down to the Nitty Gritty he was like . oh………….. i think my mums calling me……….. i gtg……………………….. jst no explanation. LKSHDGKLHDSGL

i rly lov the idea of him hvin someone he loves to use as his muse……. either fr his art or photography<3

mayb someone who he actually was almost in a relationship w once upon a time bt it jst didnt work out, timing was off or he backed out cuz he felt bad that he probs cldnt give them his full attention w helping his family etc.

coworkers at the aquarium!!

old college classmates/ppl who take art classes w him??

ok i think those r all the ideas i hv rn. we can also brainstorm. lets get wild.

[barchiefanfiction]

Archie and Betty through the years (from teenagers to middle-age?) being each other's support systems when things get a little tough in their relationships with Veronica and Jug.

Anchor 

by keiraknighted

AO3 // ff.net

“Ronnie, you have to talk her out of it,” Archie begs forthe third time that day. Veronica slides her deep purple dress on and turnsaround, waiting for Archie to zip her up. A bridesmaid dress, for all intentsand purposes. Archie drags the zip up and Veronica turns around, placing herhands on his shoulders.

“Like I said, Archiekins,” she says. “If you think it’s sucha bad idea, then you should talk themout of it.”

“Don’t you think it’s a bad idea?”

Veronica laughs. “Of course I do. But it’s their life.”

“So as Betty’s best friend—” Archie starts, until Veronicacuts him off.

“You’re Betty’sbest friend, remember? And Jughead’s,” she reminds him. Archie looks pained. Veronicastraightens his tie. “You know they won’t change their minds now. They’ve beenplanning this ever since Betty became the so-called serpent queen,” she rollsher eyes.

“But what if they’re making a huge mistake?” Archie presses.And he’d try to convince them himself he would, it’s just—to talk to Betty outof it would feel like betraying Jughead, and to talk Jughead out of it wouldfeel like betraying Betty. And to try and talk to them together is just alosing battle.

Veronica shrugs. “It’s only marriage. And no one knowsbetter than the four of us how well that canlast.”

Archie still has his doubts. But to Veronica, it’s caseclosed. She puts her heels on and heads for the hotel room door.

“Come on,” she says, tilting her head. “The bride and groomare waiting for us.”

  At a chapel in Vegas, two weeks after graduation, Betty andJughead tie the knot, with Veronica and Archie as their witnesses.

Alice had forbidden it, and FP had warned against it. Thathad only made Betty want to do it more. She’s queasy as she walks down theaisle in a dress she bought months ago, not exactly a wedding dress, but it’swhite. Her serpent tattoo is fresh on her hip.

She gets through the vows, and Jughead through his, and thefour of them head to the hotel bar. They’re only eighteen, but they get servedanyway.

Four drinks in, Betty is on top of the world. Surrounded byher friends, married to the love of her life. She’s pretty sure things couldn’tget more perfect.

Six drinks in, she’s outside, desperate for fresh air,feeling claustrophobic, her white dress too tight. Archie’s hand grazes herback.

“Hey,” he says softly. Her head spins. “Are you okay?”

Betty nods. “Too much to drink.” A light breeze tousles herhair, and she closes her eyes, grateful for the coolness of the wind on herface. Archie stays beside her.

“Perhaps it’s time for bed,” Archie suggests. “Mrs Jones,”he adds. A joke probably, but she doesn’t laugh.

“Did I make a mistake?” she whispers, so softly she’s sureArchie hasn’t heard, especially since he doesn’t respond right away.

He takes a deep breath. “Of course not,” he finally replies.“You and Jughead were bound to get married eventually. What difference does itmake if it’s now or in a few years?”

Betty nods. She leans against him, and he wraps his armsaround her.

“Let’s get you to bed,” he says.

The last thing she remembers is him pressing a kiss to herforehead before she drifts off to sleep.

  Moving to New York was always the plan. Archie never thoughthe’d be leaving Betty and Jughead behind in Riverdale. But Jughead says heneeds to get things sorted with the Serpents before he leaves, and Betty, ashis wife, is staying to support him. They both swear they’ll join him andVeronica in New York next year.

Archie loves living in New York, but the thing is, it’sfreaking expensive. He manages to get a job waiting tables, but he kind ofsucks at it, so the tips aren’t great. Veronica, on the other hand, is alreadya successful business owner, and she’s even thinking about turning Pop’s into achain. She’s currently studying business while Archie studies music on ascholarship.

It’s not exactly how imagined it. He lives in a dorm with aroommate he doesn’t particularly like, instead of the nice apartment hepictured sharing with Veronica or Jughead. Veronica refuses to spend any timein his dorm, and he’s always travelling back and forth across the city to seeher. Her apartment is nothing fancy, but the fact that she can afford to livein it alone is impressive enough.

“We should go travelling in the summer,” Veronica saysdreamily, playing with Archie’s hair as they lay in her bed on a Saturdaymorning. “Europe, maybe. Or Australia.”

“I don’t think that’s going to be possible, Ronnie,” Archiesighs. He’d love to give her everything she wants, honestly. But he doesn’thave the money.

Veronica pouts. “Why not? Haven’t you always wanted to go toParis?”

“I’d love to see it with you,” Archie says. “But I’llprobably be working for my dad over the summer.”

“Does he really need you?” Veronica complains.

Archie tries not to sigh again. She just doesn’t get it. “Idon’t know, Ronnie. But I need the money. New York is expensive.”

“Oh,” Veronica says, understanding finally dawning. “I’llpay for your flights.”

Archie groans. He pulls away from the hand twirling in hishair and sits up. “I don’t want you to do that.”

“Archiekins, come on,” Veronica coos, sitting up beside him.“It’s just money.”

Archie tries not to be frustrated with her, but he can’thelp it. “Of course it is, to you,” he huffs. He throws himself out of bed andgets dressed.

“Don’t be such a proud man,” Veronica snaps. “Does it reallybother you that I make more money than you? That I’m more successful than you?”

Her words sting. “Of course not,” Archie says. “I’m proud ofeverything you’ve done. But I don’t want to have to rely on you to pay forthings for me. If you want to go to Europe, that’s fine. But I can’t affordit.”

He thinks he’s explained himself well, that she’llunderstand. But she gives him a pained looks and says, “That’s ridiculous,Archie. I’m happy to pay.”

Archie shakes his head. “Forget it,” he says. “I’ll see youlater.”

Veronica doesn’t bother trying to stop him as he leaves.

On the train home, he calls Betty.

“Hey,” she says brightly. Archie can feel some of thetension drain out of him at the sound of her voice.

“Hey,” Archie replies. “What’s up?”

“I’m just doing the dishes, nothing interesting,” Bettylaughs. “What’s up with you?”

“Veronica and I kind of had a fight,” he says.

“Oh, what happened?”

“She wants to go to Europe this summer and I told her Ican’t afford it. She said she’d pay but…” he trails off. Maybe he’s being dumb.Maybe Betty will tell him he’s being an idiot and he should take a free trip toEurope from his girlfriend.

“Of course she did,” Betty snorts. “I love V, but she reallyhas no clue what it’s like to not have any money.”

“So you don’t think I’m being stupid?”

“I completely get it, Archie. I’m the same, I don’t want tofeel like I owe someone something, even if it’s someone I’m in a relationshipwith. You want to stand on your own two feet. It’s perfectly understandable.”

Archie breathes a sigh of relief. Someone gets it. Someonegets him. “Thanks, Betty. You always know exactly what to say.”

“Anytime, Arch.” 

Betty is pretty sure she shouldn’t be feeling this anxiousright now. Archie is home for the summer and he’s coming over in an hour fordinner at the little unit Betty and Jughead have been renting this past year.She can’t wait to see him. She’s missed him a lot this past year. They spoke onthe phone a lot, and he came home a few times, but it’s not the same as seeinghim every day.

She’s been working for her mom all year at the Register,while Jughead works on his novel and leads the Serpents, doing odd jobs forpeople or writing a story for the Register every now and again for some extracash. But it’s not what she wants to do anymore. She’s ready to get out ofRiverdale, go to college, see the world. She keeps seeing Veronica’s Instagramposts, in a bikini in Greece, or on top of the Eiffel Tower, and she can’t helpbut feel jealous.

She’s got a million things she wants to do in her life, andthe truth is, now she doesn’t know if she’ll ever get to do them.

Her hands shake as she opens the little box containing thepregnancy test. The cashier had congratulated her when she bought it. Betty hadsmiled like she was excited, when in fact she just feels sick. Sitting on thetoilet, she reads the instructions, and follows them to the letter. Now all shecan do is wait.

Her stomach churns. This could be a good thing, right? It should be a good thing. She’s married tothe man she loves, possibly pregnant with his baby. This isn’t some teenpregnancy like her mom or Polly. This is different.

Except she knows she’s not ready. Kids are for after she’sfinished college, after she’s travelled, after she’s had a career and a life.Not now. Jughead will probably bethrilled. She’s beginning to suspect he’s not that interested in collegeanyway, and would rather stay here and lead the Serpents. And a baby would makehim so happy.

She watches the test, praying for a negative. Her prayersaren’t answered.

She decides not to tell Jughead yet. It can wait until afterdinner. She throws the test in the trash and covers it with tissues, then getsto making dinner. She usually cooks, Jughead isn’t that great at it. He alwayssays he’ll do the washing up, but he rarely gets around to it. There’s alwayssome gang issue he has to resolve. Betty had been excited to be part of theSerpents at first, but she’s already bored of it, skipping most of theirmeetings in favour of reading a book on the couch.

The doorbell rings just as Betty is dishing up the chicken.Jughead gets it, and Betty listens as he greets Archie, and then the two ofthem join her in the kitchen. She turns around, and before she can even sayhello, Archie is pulling her into a hug. She laughs, squeezing him tightlyback, forgetting for a moment the worries on her mind. But then he pulls awayand Betty glances at Jughead and the churning in her gut returns.

“I’m so glad you’re home,” Betty tells Archie. “Dinner’sready, go sit down and I’ll bring it to you.”

Archie obeys, grinning, and Jughead follows, leaving Bettyto bring the plates out.

If either of the guys notice that Betty isn’t quite herself,they don’t say anything. Betty is pretty quiet the whole time, letting Jugheadand Archie keep the conversation. It’s not that she doesn’t want to join in,it’s just that she can’t seem to take her mind off the revelation she’dreceived in the bathroom earlier.

They discuss Archie’s college life, the Serpents, Betty’sjob, and Veronica being in Europe. Archie swears he isn’t jealous, and thathe’s not worried about Veronica hanging around those hot European guys.

“She can flirt as much as she likes,” Archie shrugs. “I knowshe’d never cheat on me.”

It’s at that moment Jughead gets a message, and he’s alreadystanding up before Betty can ask who it’s from.

“Sorry guys, gotta run,” he says. “Emergency Serpentbusiness.”

“Seriously, Jug?” Betty pleads. “Can’t it wait? We have aguest.”

“No, one of the new recruits thought it would be a greatidea to graffiti one of the Ghoulies’ cars, so I have to go and deal with that.Besides, it’s just Archie.”

“Surely Toni, or Sweet Pea—”

“I’m the Serpent king, Betty,” Jughead huffs. “It’s my job.”

“Fine,” Betty mutters. Jughead gives her a kiss on the headbefore running out the door. Betty looks to Archie, who looks a littleembarrassed at having witnessed the argument, pushing his peas around hisplate. “Sorry about that,” Betty says.

Archie looks up. “You don’t have to be sorry,” he assuresher. Betty watches him gingerly put a pea in his mouth before she snorts withlaughter.

“I forgot you hate peas,” she says. Archie laughs. “Youdon’t have to eat them. Here.” She stands up and takes his plate, stacking iton top of hers and Jughead’s, then takes them to the kitchen.

“You want me to wash up?” Archie calls after her.

“It’s okay,” Betty says. “I’ll do it after you go.” She putsthe plates in the sink. She stands there a moment, trying to gather herselfbefore she goes back out to face Archie. She won’t enjoy is company properly ifshe keeps dwelling on her pregnancy.

She doesn’t hear Archie enter the room, but then he’s besideher, his hand on her shoulder. “Hey,” he says softly. “Is everything okay?”

Betty squeezes her eyes shut, trying to will the tears shecan feel forming to retract back into her tear ducts. But then they’re spillingout, and she lets out a sob, shaking her head. Why did he have to ask? Shecould have held it together if he hadn’t asked.

He immediately wraps his arms around her, pulling heragainst him tightly. Her shoulders shake as she cries into his chest, unable tostop now that she’s started. He rubs her back, and he lets her cry until shepulls away, wiping her eyes.

“You want to talk about it?” he asks, eyes full of concern.

She isn’t planning on telling him, but somehow it just slipsout. “I’m pregnant.”

He stares at her, not sure what to say. Betty keeps talkingso he doesn’t have to say anything.

“I haven’t told Jughead yet. I just found out before you gothere and I—” she sobs again. “I should be happy. But it probably means I won’tget to go to college next year, or join you in New York.”

Archie pulls her into his arms again. “Hey, hey,” he sayssoothingly. “You have other options. And whatever you choose, I promise I’ll bethere for you. And maybe you can still go to college.”

Betty nods, and somehow, she’s comforted, even though shedoesn’t really believe what he’s saying. She could never afford a baby and college. And if she gives the babyup, or gets an abortion, Jughead will hate her forever.

But for now, she lets Archie let her believe everything isgoing to be okay.

  Archie has had the ring for a while now. He’s been carryingit around in his pocket, waiting for the right time.

But he and Veronica are both finished college now, and hehas a bit of money saved, despite buying the ring. Veronica now owns a Pop’sand speak easy in three locations, and Archie is getting gigs almost everyweekend, plus his day job selling furniture.

They’re in Riverdale for the weekend, for theirgoddaughter’s fifth birthday. Archie can hardly believe little Matilda Jones isready for school already. Betty and Jughead throw a little party for her atAlice’s house, and afterwards, Archie and Veronica take a walk along SweetwaterRiver.

And suddenly Archie can’t think of a better time or place todo it. In the town they fell in love, where Archie hopes the can raise childrenand grow old together someday.

“They looked so happy. I’m going to be honest, I didn’tthink Betty and Jughead would even last this long,” Veronica is saying. “I’mhappy to be proven wrong—” she cuts herself off when she sees Archie loweringhimself to the ground on one knee. “What are you doing?” she asks, eyes wide.

“Ronnie,” Archie says, pulling the ring box out of hispocket. “From the moment I saw you, I knew I wanted to spend the rest of mylife with you. We’ve had our share of ups and downs, but there is no one I’drather have by my side than you. Will you do me the honour of becoming mywife?”

Veronica stares at him. She stares so long, and without asmile, that Archie begins to feel anxious.

“Ronnie?” he prompts, nervous. He swallows.

“Archie…” she starts, her voice soft and sympathetic.Archie’s stomach sinks. He stands up, trying not to let his eyes betray thehurt he feels. “I’m sorry,” Veronica continues. “I just… I’m not ready to getmarried yet. I don’t want to break up, and I still love you… but marriage?” she balks. “I… can’t give youthat kind of commitment.”

Archie nods, clenching his jaw. “I get it,” he says, thoughhe’s not quite sure he does. But what else can he say? He doesn’t want to breakup either. But he really wants to get married one day. And what if Veronicanever gets there? He doesn’t voice his thoughts out loud though.

“I’m really sorry, Archiekins. We should have talked aboutthis, I should have realised you would want to propose soon.”

“Ronnie, it’s okay. I’m just… I just need a minute.”

Veronica nods. “Should we go back to your dad’s?”

“Yeah,” Archie says. “Yeah.”

He goes up to his old room when he gets back, and Veronicastays downstairs with Fred to give Archie some alone time. He shuts the doorbehind him, and when he looks up, his eyes lock with Betty’s through thewindow. She seems surprised to see him, but she smiles and waves. Archie wavesback, but he can’t bring himself to return the smile.

Betty reaches for her phone, and moments later Archie gets atext.

Everything okay?

Archie looks up. He shakes his head. Betty turns back to herphone, and then his phone is ringing, Betty’s name on the screen. He smiles tohimself as he answers.

“What’s wrong?” Betty asks immediately.

“It’s too embarrassing,” Archie sighs.

“You can tell me anything.”

“I proposed to Veronica and she said no.”

Betty winces. “Ouch.”

“I’m such an idiot.”

“Don’t say that,” Betty scolds. “She’s the idiot if shedoesn’t want to marry you. Any girl would be lucky to have you as a husband.”Archie snorts. “I’m being serious!”

“So you’d marry me if you didn’t already have a husband?”

“You know I would.” Betty chews her lip. “She’ll change hermind.”

Archie nods. He hopes Betty is right.

“Love you,” she says.

“Love you too, Betty.”

  Betty is pregnant again. This time, it’s planned. Eightmonths ago, it had seemed like a great idea. Matilda wanted a sibling, Bettyand Jughead were both ready for another child. Jughead had just finished hisnovel and was sending it off to publishers. The Serpents had been drama freefor a year.

But Jughead had received nothing but a string of rejectionletters. It hit him hard. And at first, he was just having a drink or two tolet off some steam. But now…

Well, it’s 2am and Betty hasn’t seen him in hours. And sheknows there wasn’t a Serpent meeting because Cheryl has been posting picturesof her date night with Toni on her Instagram story. Betty hasn’t been a part ofthe Serpents since she gave birth to Matilda.

Betty can’t help but worry. He’s been drinking more andmore, and it’s getting harder and harder to hide from Matilda. She was askingfor her dad when Betty tucked her in earlier, and it made Betty’s heart ache.

There’s a crash at the front door, and Betty sits boltupright in bed. The front door slams, and she can hear Jughead banging around,making no effort to be quiet. She winces when he kicks open the bedroom doorand flicks the light on.

“Would you be quiet?” Betty hisses. “Your daughter isasleep.”

“I’m going to wake her up,” Jughead says, turning around.

“Don’t you dare!” Betty snaps. “I don’t want her to see youlike this.”

Jughead stops in the doorway, turning just his head to lookat Betty. He’s wearing a cold sneer on his face. “Like what?”

“You know what.”

“Like what, Betty!” he growls.

Betty flinches. She hates him like this. He never getsviolet, but he gets mean. “Drunk,” she snaps. “You’re awful when you’re drunk.”

“Oh, I’m awful, am I? Well excuse me for trying to have agood time now and again.”

“Now and again?” Betty repeats, incredulous. “You’ve beenout late drinking every night for the past two weeks! Do I need to remind youthat you have a daughter and a pregnant wife at home waiting for you?”

Even in his drunken state, Jughead has the decency to looksheepish at that.

“You have to stop, Jug,” Betty pleads. “Don’t become thefather you hated when you were growing up.”

Those words seem to trigger something inside him. Hesoftens, walks towards her with apologetic eyes.

“I’m sorry,” he whispers, kneeling on the ground beside thebed. He puts his hand on Betty’s swollen stomach. “I’ll quit, I promise.” Hekisses Betty’s stomach. Then he stands up and crawls into bed beside her, noteven bothering to undress. Within minutes, he’s snoring beside her.

She picks up her phone and continues her conversation withArchie.

He’s home. Thanks for keeping me sane. Xx

  Archie wants to think he’s crazy, paranoid. But he’s beensuspecting something for a while now, and every time Veronica tells him she’sworking late, or she’s out with friends, he can’t shake the feeling that she’slying to him. That there’s someone else.

He hasn’t said anything, because he keeps convincing himselfhe’s wrong. It’s just his imagination. He doesn’t want her to think he doesn’ttrust her. And even if it’s true… well, he’s not sure he’s ready to face thatyet.

But she’s not here again, and he’s lonely, he’s been lonelyfor months, so he picks up the phone and calls Betty. He doesn’t want to say itout loud, but he can’t bear the thoughts inside his own head anymore. And Bettywill talk him down, reassure him that everything is fine. Veronica can’tpossibly be cheating on him.

“What’s up, Arch?” she answers.

He hesitates. He doesn’t want to burden her with hisproblems if she’s having problems of her own.

“How’s���how’s Jughead?”

“He’s good,” Betty says. “It’s been two months since hislast relapse, and he started writing again. Something new.”

“That’s great, Betty. And the girls?”

“They’re great too,” Betty says. Her voice always growsfonder when she talks about her daughters. She loves them so much.

“I’m glad.”

“Arch?” Betty says, and she sounds a little concerned now. “Iseverything okay?”

Archie shakes his head, though Betty can’t see him. “I think—Ithink Veronica might be cheating on me.”

Betty doesn’t say anything.

“I’m just being crazy, right?” Archie asks.

“I don’t know, Arch,” Betty whispers. Not what Archie wasexpecting. “I mean, if you feel like something’s wrong… maybe something iswrong. Even if the thing that’s wrong isn’t that she’s cheating. But you shouldtalk to her about it.”

“You think?”

“Yeah, I mean… don’t like, accuse her of cheating. But lether know you’re unhappy. That you feel like something is off.”

Archie swallows. “I really thought you’d tell me I was beingparanoid.”

“Trust your instincts, Arch. They’re usually pretty good.And you know I’m always on your side, right?”

“I know.”

The talk ends in a fight. And the fight ends in Veronicaadmitting it. She’s cheating on him. And even though Archie has suspected itfor months now, the truth kills him.

He feels like a complete fool. He should have ended it whenshe said she didn’t want to marry him.

Veronica apologises over and over, tears in her eyes.

“I never meant for it to happen. I never meant to hurt you,”she tells him.

“But you did anyway,” Archie says bitterly.

She doesn’t stop him when he leaves.

  Betty loves having Archie back in Riverdale, though shehates the circumstances that brought him back. He seems sad about Veronica, buthe also seems happier in some ways too. She knows he always saw himself comingback here someday.

She sees him a lot now, and he loves looking after Matildaand Alison so that she can have a bit of a break from her ten-year-old and her five-year-old.She loves them to bits, but to say they’re a handful is an understatement.

The four of them, Betty, Archie, Matilda, and Alison, are ontheir way back from a trip to the movies. Jughead had been supposed to come,but last-minute Serpent issues had arisen. Betty has long since stopped caringabout anything Serpent related.

They’d had to drive a couple hours, to the closest cinemathey have these days. It’s way past the girls’ bed time, and they’ve bothfallen asleep in the back seat. Betty and Archie talk quietly in the front, soas not to wake them.

When Archie drops them back at Betty and Jughead’s, Jughead stillisn’t home. Betty’s stomach sinks. She tries not to think the worst. Shecarries Alison to bed, while Archie carries Matilda.

“Thanks, Arch,” Betty whispers.

“I’ll see you… tomorrow, probably,” Archie laughs. Heglances to the door. “Do you want me to stay until Jughead gets home?”

Betty hesitates. She shakes her head, even though she doeswant him to stay a little bit. But if Jughead has fallen off the wagon again,it’s probably best if she deals with it alone. Archie nods, and Betty gives hima goodbye hug. It’s at that moment that Jughead chooses to make an appearance.

The front door swings open, and Betty can already smell thathe’s been drinking. She tenses, and Archie is stiff beside her.

“What are you doing here?” Jughead slurs, glaring at Archie.

“Just dropping your wife home.”

“You’ve been spending an awful lot of time with my wifelately.”

“Jughead, stop it,” Betty snaps. “Go and take a shower. Don’twake the girls.”

“Fuck off, Betty,” Jughead snarls. “Don’t tell me what todo.”

Betty flinches, and she can feel Archie get his hackles up.

“And you can fuck off too, Archie,” Jughead adds.

“I’m not leaving her with you like this.”

“Get out of my house, Archie!” Jughead yells. He goes toshove Archie, but Archie doesn’t back down, and Jughead stumbles back.

“Betty,” Archie says. “You and the girls should stay with metonight.”

“That might be best,” Betty agrees. She goes to move towardsthe girls’ bedroom, and Jughead grabs her by the arm, squeezing tightly,pressing bruises into her upper arm.

“No,” he says.

“Jug,” she says. “Let me go. You’re hurting me.”

“Let her go, Jughead.”

Jughead glares at Archie. He takes a swing, stumbling overhis own feet, hitting Archie, and elbowing Betty in the face in the process.

“Fuck!” he yells, shaking out his hand. Betty clutches herface. “Betty,” Jughead says. “I didn’t mean to hit you. I’m sorry.” He soundsweak and pathetic now. Tears form in his eyes, and Betty can feel herselfcrying as well. She stares at him in shock. He hadn’t meant to hit her, sheknows that. But she can’t trust that we won’t accidentally do something worseone day. Like hit one of the girls.

She knows this is it. With one glance at Archie, he knows ittoo.

“Are you okay?” Archie asks. Betty nods. “Get the girls.”Betty nods again, hurrying to the bedroom. She wakes them quickly, and theyfollow her sleepily out of the house and to Archie’s car.

“Betty, wait!” Jughead calls after them. “I’m sorry. I swearit won’t happen again.”

Archie slides into the driver’s seat.

“Betty—”

“Just drive, Archie,” she says, swallowing her tears.

  She’s awake early, in her old bedroom at her mom’s house.Archie had dropped her off last night, and she’d cried into her mom’s armsuntil three in the morning.

She gets up, glancing out the window to see that Archie isawake too. She gestures for him to meet her outside.

They stroll along the street, no destination in mind.

“Are you going to go back to him?” Archie asks.

Betty shakes her head. “I’ve tried too many times, Arch. Ifhe can sober up, I’ll let him see the girls. But he and I are done.”

“I’m sorry.”

Betty shrugs. “I think it’s been coming for a long time.”

“Did you ever think this is where we’d be at thirty? Back inRiverdale, living with our parents?” Archie snorts.

“God,” Betty laughs. “Not at all. I guess life doesn’talways work out like you planned.”

“It’s not all bad though,” Archie muses. “At least I’vestill got my best friend.”

Betty smiles. “Yeah. Thank you, Arch.”

“What for?”

“Being my anchor. No matter what I’ve been through, you’realways there to ground me.”

Archie grins. “Back at you.”

He slips his hand into hers and gives it a squeeze.

“Pop’s?” Betty suggests.

“I thought you’d never ask.”

[wulfies-corner]

Reasons Why (BTS Reaction to their S/O Deciding not to Drink Alcohol) *REQUEST*

A/N: My first request! I had a lot of trouble with this as the idea wasn’t my own, but it was fun! Just letting everyone know that I did this because this anon was the first ask I ever received on tumblr. It was special and I was excited about it. My requests aren’t currently going anywhere as I’m currently still in the process of writing two series. I MIGHT open up my requests, but that depends. It’s a pretty big MIGHT.  Anyway, please enjoy! 

Fandom: BTS

Genre: Reactions/Fluff

Summary: BTS reactions/interactions to your decision to not drink alcohol. Each member’s reader has a different reason. 

Jin

Even during nights where you and the boys would go out or hold little movie nights in the dorm, you and Jin would spend most of the night cooking or just being in the kitchen. It was never unusual that you and Jin would go through the whole night sober anyone could be, so nobody ever really bothered you about it. At least, that’s how it was now. A few years ago, when you and Jin started dating, he sat you down with a question.

“(Y/N), please don’t take offence to this,” he started slowly to your confusion, sitting beside you at the dinner table and watching you munch on a piece of cheese. “Sure, what’s up?” “Is there a reason why you don’t drink?” He asked. “Even when we go out to a bar you end up just mooching off of Namjoon’s chicken wings, you never seem to have anything other than juice or mocktails.”

You looked down but smiled when Jin started babbling as if he offended you. “No, don’t worry about it, Jinny. I… I’ve always had kind of a hard time talking about it no matter how much better I feel about it now.” “You don’t have to explain if you don’t want to.”

You shook your head. “It’s okay. You deserve an explanation anyway considering,” you chuckle faintly. “My dad was a pretty bad alcoholic. He’s smart, talented, everything you’d want out of a great dad, but my mom was a pretty terrible person and it weighed too much on him. He drank himself into calmness and I hated seeing him in these… stupors. I hated watching him get hurt because of both alcohol and my mom. When my mom finally left it took him years of work, rehab, AA meetings and relapses until he was fully sober. I can’t let myself fall into the same hole, so I choose not to drink at all.”

Jin smiled at you. “I understand. You know, I can be quite the good mock bartender. If you want any special drinks without alcohol in them, I’d be happy to make them for you.”

“Thank you. I’m glad you support me,” “Of course. Why wouldn’t I?”

Yoongi

You were glad that Yoongi was often the most chill member of the group. When you explained to him that the reason you chose not to drink was just a simple personal choice, he was all for supporting you in the most casual way you could imagine.

When he visited with your family in your home country for the first time, he casually did his best to speak proper English to your relatives, to be polite and likeable. You didn’t expect that much effort to impress your family since you had already warned him that it wasn’t easy to gain your extended family’s affection, but it looked like he was actively trying. Despite how rude they were and slightly offensive your grandfather was, he maintained his composure and respect in the midst of your slightly abusive relatives.

At least he did until dinner.

Both your parents didn’t often intervene at family gatherings. Your father was timid, especially since he had grown up the softer of the two and his set of three brothers, as well as growing up in the care of his verbally strict father. He never made any moves unless something was escalating to violence. Your mother was a little more vocal, but she had already spent her anger on a heated argument with one of your uncles earlier in the day, so she expected you to defend yourself.

However, that was not happening anytime soon. “(Y/N), drink your wine.” Your youngest aunt looked over at you, noticing that you hadn’t touched your wine glass. You had been reluctantly sipping at the tiny glass of tomato juice that you also hated but despised less than the alcohol sitting in front of you. “Don’t you know how expensive that White was?”

You looked down at your plate, stuffing more food in your mouth so that you wouldn’t have to answer.

“Listen to Aunt (A/N). Drink,” your grandfather spat. He never liked you but tolerated you because you were family. He found you a delinquent and uncultured for reasons you couldn’t fathom. He was also the only person in your family that wasn’t okay with Yoongi coming to visit from Korea.

“I don’t mean to show any disrespect,” Yoongi said as clear as he could, speaking through his thick accent. He gripped your free hand underneath the table, “but (Y/N) has chosen not to drink. Don’t you think it might be decent to not try and force her?”

“I don’t think you understand-” you oldest Aunt tried to speak, but Yoongi interrupted her. “Then take her glass and finish it yourself. Don’t you see how uncomfortable she is? If she respects you, the least you can do is respect her decision.” Yoongi turned to smile at you, reached for your glass and moved it to the centre of the table, nodding when you quietly thanked him. The rest of the dinner felt silent and awkward, but you were thankful that he was there to support you in the midst of family you were forced to spend time with.

Hoseok

Somehow, in the world of Twitter, scandals and an increasingly nosey Taehyung, you and Hoseok were trying to keep a generally secretive relationship. A few months ago you had lost your house due to some unavoidable financial circumstances, and you were thankfully allowed to move into the BTS dorm. This, of course, went from one thing to another, and a few weeks before your birthday party, you found out that you were pregnant.

Hoseok took the news pretty well, and you could dare to say that the two of you were excited about it: but now wasn’t the time to announce it. While you and Hoseok were a secretive couple, you could be a little… obvious at times.

At the party, you avoided drinking. In fact, you didn’t even try to hide it. You wandered around the flat with a wineglass full of milk in hand, Hoseok following you around and drinking anything alcohol related that was offered to you.

“You know, sweets, they’re gonna figure it out if you keep doing that,” you whispered as you both awkwardly walked away after he downed a shot offered to you by Namjoon.

“Don’t worry,” he cooed. “They won’t.” Sure enough… “Hey, (Y/N), got a reason for hanging onto that milk?” Taehyung asked as he approached you with a grin, also nursing a non-alcoholic drink of simple orange juice in a champagne glass. “Could ask you the same question,” Hoseok fired back before you could open your mouth. You rolled your eyes.

Taehyung squinted at his elder, smirking. “I’m the sober one out of this group. I’ve seen (Y/N) get shitfaced on multiple occasions while I’ve always had my trusty orange juice. Yet here I stand, watching you down all her alcohol while she drinks cow squeezings.”

You couldn’t hold back your laughter, “cow squeezings?” Taehyung grinned mischievously at you. At this point, everyone had turned to the conversation. “Yeah, why aren’t you drinking, (Y/N)? You’re usually Jabba drunk by now,” Jin squints in your direction, placing down a bowl of cheese dip and chips on the living room table.

“I think I know,” Namjoon adds, a smirk spreading on his lips.

“Don’t you-”

“(Y/N), you’re pregnant?!” Jimin interjects nearly immediately.

Everyone who was sitting down *coughYoongicough* and standing away from the conversation all moved to crowd you after they heard Jimin’s accusation. Hoseok did his best to block them from getting too close, but he was tipsy and more than a little bit wobbly.

“Calm down,” you put up your hands in surrender to the horde of boys, “yes, I’m pregnant.” However, that didn’t stop any of them. Through the crowding and the tipsy group (except for Taehyung), Hoseok did his best to defend you. “There’s another human life in her belly,” he cried, “don’t crowd her! She’s mine, leave her alone!”

You couldn’t help but roll your eyes and laugh. No matter how secretive you tried to be, everyone else always found out sooner or later.

Namjoon

“Want anything, (Y/N)?” Namjoon looked at you with a smile, doing his best to talk over top the loud music in the half restaurant half bar you two managed to stumble into during a walk through your hometown. “Oh, no thanks,” you shook your head, watching as he nodded and asked the server for just a single glass of his own choice of drink. He had also ordered wings that you would pick at, but you never really had any interest in alcohol. Besides, restaurants in this area always served a glass of water anyway so you would be fine.

“Any reason why?” He asked curiously as the server turned to walk away.

You shrugged. “Never really was interested,” you answer honestly. “I never liked bitter drinks to begin with and the number of drunk drivers nowadays is appalling,” you explain to his nod of agreement, “I don’t want to condone it, you know?”

“I understand. The aspect of alcohol isn’t going to appeal to everyone,” he agrees, “sometimes it barely even interests me… but I’m curious to know what this caesar tastes like.”

You smiled. “I wouldn’t know, but my dad likes them. It’s got hot sauce I think, clamato juice, celery salt, some other stuff and vodka if I remember correctly. Something to drink if you like tomatoes, I guess.”

“You seem to know your stuff for not being interested in alcohol,” Namjoon comments.

You laugh, “yeah, I suppose. At one point I wanted to know everything that there is to know so I could immediately find out what I liked once I was of age, but it really went downhill when I had my first one on my 19th birthday.”

Namjoon squinted. “19?” “Yeah, the legal age is 19 in Canada,” you explain to his ‘ooooh’ of realization, “anyway, I wanted to have a daiquiri, since I’ve had mocktails before and I liked them a lot, but as soon as I tasted it, my whole opinion of alcohol in general just went downhill.”  

“Must have been one sucky drink,” he comments, thanking the server as she returns with wings and his drink. You took one of the wings to nibble on, nodding in agreement. “Yeah, pretty much. But hey, it’s not like I’m missing out on much.” “That’s true. Mocktails can get you pretty far in life and sometimes they taste even better,” he smiles at you as he tastes his Caesar. His lips turned up into a smile, shrugging and making the ‘not bad’ expression. “Like it?” “Yeah, better than I thought it would taste.” He takes the celery stalk out of the glass and bites off a good portion of it, resting his elbow on the table and raising his eyebrows seductively at you as he chewed.

You stuck your tongue out at him playfully. “Dork. Help yourself,” you chuckle. “I’ll carry you home if need be.”

Jimin

“So, is it a medical thing, or…?” You looked up at Jimin from your soup. “Pardon?” “The reason you don’t drink. I’ve been curious about it for a while, but I never really had any time to think over the question…” Jimin chuckles to himself, cheeks already tinted with embarrassment. You perked up with a smile, shrugging. “It’s not that big of a deal,” you say, to Jimin’s relief. “My liver isn’t exactly doing the best job in the world, so to maintain what function it has left I can’t have anything with alcohol contents.” Jimin had a small glass of champagne with him while you just had a simple glass of milk. While it looked out of place in the rather fancy restaurant that was the setting of your date, neither of you minded. “I just figured that I should ask before I do the whole ‘proposal in a champagne glass’ bit,” he jokes.

You had to keep yourself from laughing out loud. “If you try and pull that I’m standing up and leaving you stranded right here and now,”

Jimin raised his hands up in defeat, grinning. “Don’t worry, I won’t.”

“Good. But… you’re okay with it, right? The whole me not drinking thing?” Jimin shook his head. “You don’t have to worry one bit. As long as you’re comfy and healthy, I won’t mind having you be my designated driver.” 

Taehyung

On nights out, Taehyung always chose not to drink. Whether it be a personal or health decision, he never said, but you welcomed the fact that you weren’t the only one without alcohol at the restaurant. Both you and Taehyung sipped at orange juice in your champagne glasses, everyone else with the traditional drink in hand.

“You’re of age now, aren’t you, (Y/N)?” Jimin asked as he reached for the beef Jin was currently cooking on the grill, only to get his hand slapped away. Most everyone was doing their own thing: eating, staring off into space or trying to grab what Jin was still cooking on the small grill in the middle of the table.

“Yeah, why?” “Then why aren’t you having champagne with the rest of us?” He asked, recoiling his hand and sticking his tongue out at Jin.

You looked down at the table, biting your lip. It was your choice, could people not respect it? “Yaah, don’t go bothering her!” Taehyung exclaimed. “You don’t bug me about my orange juice.”

“Sorry,” Jimin side eyed you, “but seriously, is there a reason you don’t drink?”

You sighed, shrugging. You brought your glass to your lips briefly, thinking about your answer. “I don’t get the appeal of alcohol,” you state honestly. “It tastes bad and makes you stupid.”

Taehyung smiled widely at you, wrapping an arm around your shoulders. “See? I think orange juice is much better than alcohol, there’s nothing to be ashamed about.”

You returned the smile sheepishly. Jimin nodded at you as well. “I mean, as long as you’re here to celebrate with us, right?” “Yeah.”

Jungkook

Sometimes Jungkook went a little overboard with the drinking. You couldn’t blame him, really, he had just come of age in a group where everyone else could drink but him. He always thanked you for having drinks like the Shirley Temples you liked instead of alcohol, but you never told him that it wasn’t entirely to be in support of his legal inability. Besides, you were also younger than him. After a long day of work, Jungkook invited you along to the restaurant he liked with the group, you agreeing quite quickly. Time spent with your boys was worth the drive out. Still, you had gotten a bit shy when you and Taehyung were the only ones out of the group not drinking. Jungkook, already having downed a beer, leant over to put his head on your shoulder, a stupid smile spread across his face. “Come on, (Y/N)~ have a drink!” “Oh, no thank you,” you timidly denied, biting at the straw to your Shirley Temple. “I’m okay.”

“Aw, why not?? We’re of age now, have fun!” Jungkook started wiggling in his seat, you rolling your eyes. “I don’t want to end up like you, that’s why,” you state bluntly. You recoiled back into yourself when Jungkook sat up straight, eyebrows raised at you. “Sorry.”

“(Y/N), it’s okay, we’re not judging you,” Jin says from across the table with a smile. “I think Kookie’s a little bit too excited.”

“(Y/N)~~~ just one sip, come on, pleaaaseee?” Jungkook flashed that bunny smile you had a hard time saying no to. Still, being unable to drink is being unable to drink.

“Kookie, I can’t. I’m sorry, I’d like to but…” “Huh? You can’t or you choose not to?” He sat up straight, eyebrows raised in confusion again. “Kookie-” “Oh my god, tell me you’re not pregnant.”

Everyone erupted into laughter, including you. “No, Kook! I’m not pregnant, don’t worry!” Through Junkook’s sigh of relief, “I was born with one kidney. I can’t drink at all.”

That line seemed to have sobered Jungkook up. “Oh, I’m sorry (Y/N),” he apologized wistfully. “I didn’t know.”

You smiled somberly at him as he began to continuously apologize. “Jungkookie, it’s okay. I’m fine with my juice. Don’t feel bad, I’m still here to celebrate, aren’t I?”

“Yeah, you’re right. Thank you, (Y/N).”