The headlights of Archie Andrews's familiar beat up pick-up truck flashed around the corner of Jughead's apartment driveway. Ever the gentleman, Archie hopped out of the driver's seat, guiding you to his passenger's door and opening it for you. It was too dark to make out the fine details in the dark, but he seemed like less of the innocent boy he once was.

He sped away from the complex, eyes trained on the poorly-lit roads. He threw infrequent glances in your direction, making note of your tearstained face and disheveled hair.

"I'm guessing you didn't call so you could come over and have dinner at the Andrews residence?" Archie asked.

You shook your head. You adored spending time with Fred Andrews, but you just couldn't be around other people right now.

"Do you want to see Veronica?" Archie asked.

You shook your head again. Veronica was Betty's maid-of-honor, for crying out loud. You doubted she would be sympathetic to your predicament.

"Was it Jughead?" His tone sounded calculated, forcibly steady.

You nodded.

His arm reached across the center console, pulling you into him. You took solace in the familiar touch.

Archie was the only other soul in the universe who knew about your tragic love for Jughead Jones. In high school, he always urged you to confess, all though you never did.

After a while, he turned onto a side road, pulling over at the edge of the Sweetwater River. When you needed to vent, Archie used to take you here so you could skip rocks and yell across the wide expanse of the water.

The two of you sat bag along the water's edge. Staring out at the calm waters, the beautiful night sky, it became all too real what was happening to you, down on earth. A tear fell from the corner of your eye.

Archie touched your shoulder, gently as a feather.

You bit your lip. "It's not fair," you whimpered. "It's not fair, it's not fair!" You were yelling now. You beat your tiny, ineffectual fists into his chest.

"I know, I know," Archie echoed, tone as calm as the waters.

You sighed, hugging yourself in the cool night. Archie shed his jacket, wrapping it around your shoulders.

"Am I being a brat?" You asked, voice meek.

"What? No," Archie said. "It's hard to want something for so long and to see it not go the way you wanted it to. Seeing as you've been staying with the... lovely couple, I'm sure you've seen some imperfections in their relationship as well that are starting to convince you that he didn't make the right decision."

"Do you think he made the right decision?" You asked.

Archie shrugged. "Jughead is like a brother to me. And Betty is one of my best friends. It's their personal decision to get married, and I'll respect it."

You nodded silently.

"But," Archie continued. "It's wrong to let Jughead make this huge commitment without giving him all the relevant information. As his best friend, you need to tell him."

You bit your lip. "It feels wrong. I don't want to ruin Betty's life."

Archie smiled sympathetically. "If they truly aren't meant to be together, then you're saving her, even if she might not think that in the moment."

"What if it ruins mine and Jughead's friendship?"

Archie stared out onto the water. "If your love for him isn't worth risking everything, it's not worth having."

You chuckled, leaning into him. "When did you get so wise, Andrews?"

He grinned. "Adulthood changes you, I guess."

The two of you sat in silence, watching the stars and pondering over how both of you had changed so much, yet so little.

When the sky began to lighten, he extended a hand to you. "I think it's time I delivered you home." You took it gratefully, standing up together.

On the way home, the two of you were able to laugh and joke, him updating you eagerly on his college career, his and Veronica's relationship, and the Andrews construction business.

"Well, this is your stop," Archie said, opening the door for you.

"Thanks, Andrews," you said, punching his arm good-naturedly. You gave him a long, tight hug.

You fished the key Jughead had given you out of your bag, inserting it into the lock. To your surprise, the apartment was still well-lit when you entered.

Your eyes fell on Jughead, standing in the kitchen. Upon your entrance, he turned to you. His hair was disheveled, eyes red with deep bags underneath.

Never in your life have you seen Jughead Jones that upset.