You were frustrated. No matter how many hints you'd dropped, Archie just didn't seem to get it. You were so far in love with the man you couldn't think straight. However, you couldn't seem to tell him outright. So, you dropped hints, you flirted, you did everything you could think of to get him to see it. Nothing worked. Eventually, you decided to just sit and talk with the man.

You walked into Granny's one morning, knowing he'd be there enjoying his Saturday breakfast. "Archie?" He glanced up from his paper with a smile. "Hey there, Y/N. What can I do for you this morning?" You gestured to the seat across from him. "Mind if I join you for breakfast? I don't really relish the idea of eating alone today." Archie nodded. "Please do."

You sat down and ordered your usual breakfast. Granny made a mean stack of pancakes. While you waited, you couldn't help but sigh, though you hadn't realized you'd done it out loud. Archie folded up his paper and looked at you. "What's on your mind?" You blinked at him. "Hmm?" Archie laughed. "You sighed. Rather heavily."

"I'm not one of your patients, Archie." Archie shrugged and replied, "True, but you really look like you could use a chat with a friend." You bit back a groan. How on earth could you complain about his inattention to you? To all your hints? "Y/N?"

Sighing on purpose this time, you decided just to give in. "The truth is, I'm in love, Archie. And he doesn't even know. I've dropped hints. I've flirted. I've done everything I possibly could and he still doesn't seem to catch my drift." Archie's brow furrowed and his eyes reflected your own sadness. "He's my happy ending, Archie and he doesn't realize it."

"Have you actually told him how you feel?" You shook your head. "I can't. I don't know how to put it in words. He's so much smarter than I am, I'm afraid he'll think I'm ridiculous. Or that he won't have time for love. He carries the weight of the world on his shoulders sometimes." This was the most you'd ever said to anyone about it. And you were telling the clueless object of your affection. Archie reached over and patted your hand.

"There's always time for love, Y/N. And I really doubt he would think you're ridiculous." You looked back up at him. "Do you really think so?" Archie nodded. "I really think you should tell him." You laughed softly. "I just did, Archie." Archie's brows drew together in confusion and you rolled your eyes, exasperated. "Really? Archie, I just spilled my guts to you about the man I've been in love with for years. And you still aren't catching my drift."

Archie continued to stare at you, but you weren't sure if it was in confusion or surprise. You sighed, tossed some money on the table for your breakfast and got up. "Thanks for the talk, Archie. I'll, uh, see you around." You left Granny's as quickly as you could before you could embarrass yourself further. For someone so smart, the man was completely clueless! You poured your heart out and he still didn't understand that it was him that you loved.

You turned down the street and began your walk to your favorite place in all of Storybrooke. The docks. You didn't get far before you heard someone calling your name. You glanced over your shoulder to see Archie running toward you, his scarf and coat blowing behind him. "Y/N," he panted when he reached you. "Archie, really...I get it. You didn't catch my drift, so you clearly aren't interested. I'm just going to go before I say anything else that could humiliate me."

"Wait, don't go," he pleaded," I didn't understand that it was me. But that doesn't mean I'm not interested. I am! Really." You bit your lip to keep from smiling. "Really?" you asked and he nodded. "I didn't think you would return my affections." You shook your head, fondly. "Oh, Archie. You're so clueless." You shared a laugh. Archie took your hands in his and kissed the backs of them. "How about we have lunch together today? My treat?" he asked and you eagerly agreed. You leaned in and kissed his cheek. "See you then." You walked away, grinning like an idiot.