*Pre-Warning: It is a very long chapter

(PROMPT: Takes place after 2x09. The core four escape for a weekend getaway out of Riverdale to a cabin. As the first day progresses moments between Archie and Betty create suspicion among the group, resulting in a confrontation leading to a turn of events.)

It was a long drive up to the cabin. No body spoke a word since they had all dumped there bags in the back of Archies truck and began proceeding down the roads out of Riverdale. It was Veronicas idea that they got away for the weekend. Just the four of them. No parents, No distractions, no school, nothing. Just the four of them hanging like old times before all the bad came flooding in.

There was an eerie silence that hung in the air as they drove fifty miles out of Riverdale with ten miles to go to the what was presumed to be a 'quaint cabin' but in Veronicas terms this meant the above standard size of a regular family home. Archie kept on stealing glances at Betty in his rearview mirror when nobody else was looking in hope that she wouldn't catch him in the moment, little did he know that she was doing the same to him. Ever since that night, the night where a traumatic experience brought them closer than they've ever being in more ways than one, neither of them had said a word to one another, well at least not about the kiss. They had discussed the hardships of that night as they felt as though no one else would be able to understand what the two of them went through. From the outside everything seemed normal and fine though inside both of them were being torn apart. Both of them had a certain opinion on that kiss and certain feelings towards it and what it meant but it was torture as to whether or not those opinions and feelings where one sided. Betty knew her feelings for Archie had never disappeared but she was with Jughead now and Archie was with Veronica. If the kiss had meant something to either of them, it wouldn't matter as neither of them would be able to do anything about it. But there where so many times when Betty looked at him and just wanted to feel his lips against hers again. The passion, the lust, the feeling of safety. It was something she craved and seemed to only get with Archie.

The blond was snapped from her thoughts by the feeling of Jugheads hand clasping her own before speaking. "You okay?" He questioned as he rubbed his thumb along her own, in hope that it was comforting her. Betty could see Archies eyes in the corner of her own looking at her in his rearview mirror but quickly snapped her focus away from him and back to Jughead. "Yeah, I'm great. Just tired thats all." Betty explained as she gave him a small smile while her eyes searched his face. "Well why don't you shut your eyes for a bit. Come on." Jughead suggested before moving his hand from hers to her waist, pulling her closer to his side as her head lay on his shoulder before he planted a soft kiss in her hair. Betty felt comfortable with Jughead but a part of her was wishing that it was a certain red head next to her instead. Archie could feel a tenseness growing throughout his body as he kept stealing glances at the certain blond in his rearview mirror as there journey grew to a close. There are times when Archie questioned himself whether it was the right idea getting back together with Veronica so soon after having his feelings for Betty shake loose but a part of him believes it was for the best, knowing that he wouldn't be hurting Betty or getting the chance to by doing this was calming for him even if it was tearing him apart.

It was distracting, watching Jugheads hand run up and down Bettys arm, it was making him feel nauseous but for some reason his eyes couldn't seem to move from them. Archie was suddenly startled by the sound of Veronicas screaming. "Archie! Watch out!" She screamed causing Jughead and Betty to wake from there slumber as Veronica pressed a hand to his chest before Archie looked forward seeing that he had drifted to the other side of the road and was coming head on with a truck. Archie quickly swerved the truck into the right lane before slamming his foot on the break bringing them to a sudden holt, causing Betty to come flying forward so that half her body was in the front of the car and her head was close and in a all too familiar position of a certain redhead. Both Betty and Archie slowly turned there heads only for there faces to be several inches away from another. Betty could see Archies eyes wondering from her eyes to her lips in a constant loop while she did the same and slightly licked her lip. It seemed as though it was only the two of them left in the world, they where both getting completely lost in each others eyes before being snapped out of it by the sound of Jughead clearing his throat. Betty quickly slid back to her previous position while covering her cheeks in hope to hide the red flush that had swarmed it's way to her skin, while Archie turned back into his spot in the drivers seat while taking a deep breath as Veronica placed her hand on the back of his neck giving it a light squeeze causing a small smile from Archie before he slid the car back into drive and proceeded driving towards there destination with an awkward silence hanging in the air.

After having arrived at the place and unloaded the truck, the four of them had found themselves spread out amongst the lounge room completely drained of energy. Jughead lounged on a lounge chair while Veronica and Betty curled up on the couch and Archie had sunk himself into the beanbag. A vast silence hung through the air, that was until the sound of Jugheads stomach echoed throughout the room, causing them all to realise they hadn't eaten in the past seven hours. "I guess that's a sign we should probably get started on dinner." Jughead stated causing a small laugh from the entire group. "Alright well which two out of the four of us are cooking?" Archie questioned as he scanned the room while he sat up in the bean bag while dropping his arms over his legs before practically almost falling backwards by the sound of Jughead and Veronica screaming. "NOT IT." They both screamed in unison with the biggest smiles on there faces, leaving the task down to Archie and Betty. They both turned to look at each other giving each other a small smile before turning back to the others. "Alright, well that's settled, while you two work on dinner, Jughead and I will get the fire started." Veronica stated as she stood up from the couch before walking over to the other side of the room towards the fireplace, slapping Jugheads leg on the way. "Get up Jones." She stated causing a small groan from Jughead before he flung himself out of the chair and followed Veronica to the other end of the room. Archie slowly stood from the bean bag walking towards Betty. Every time it was just the two of them both of there heart rates rapidly increased. "Come on let's get started." Archie stated with a smile as he reached out a hand for the blond to grab. A part of him feared that she wouldn't reach out but his fears where diminished when her hand fell perfectly into his. He gently pulled her up so she was next to him and they began walking to the kitchen before Archie gave her a slight shove on the shoulder with a small chuckle causing a big laugh and a shove forwards from Betty, causing them both to burst out laughing. It was moments like these that got the blond thinking about her life and where it was going and more importantly who she was going forward with and right now her red headed best friend is what she wanted.

Over two hours had past since the preparations for dinner had begun and both Betty and Archies tops where splattered with sauce stains and flour. It was like old times, just the two of them cooking dinner. It brought back so many memories and it felt so natural. "Alright so, while we let the lasagna cool down we should get started on the salad." Archie said as he placed the tray on top of the stove after taking out of the oven before turning back to the kitchen island where Betty was standing. "When did you become such a master chef, Archibald Andrews?" Betty questioned as she leant back on the counter and just smiled at him. Archie could feel his heart racing as he watched her smile grow, just admiring how beautiful she was, even when she was covered in flour. "Over the summer when my dad was working late, I had to prepare myself a lot of meals." Archie explained as he took the oven mitts off his hands and placed them on the counter before resting his arms on the counter while he watched her watch him so intently. "What?" Archie questioned with a small chuckle as his smile grew wider. Betty looked at him in complete awe, admiring every part of him. It was becoming more and more clear that her feelings for Archie had never really gone they had just being buried. "Nothing. I'm just gazing." Betty replied as her smile grew and a faint blush spread across her cheeks. They wouldn't be like this if there was any one else in the room which in a way felt wrong to the both of them but they where both so caught up, that it didn't matter. "Well how about instead of gazing we get started on this salad. You wash the lettuce and I'll do some chopping of the other ingredients." Archie said in hope to diminish the temptation he was feeling right now as he chucked the bag of lettuce towards Betty, who just retaliated by poking her tongue out him causing a small chuckle from Archie. A chuckle that seemed to make her heart melt.

"Okay, so what's left?" Betty questioned as she chucked the last of the tomatoes in the salad bowl before turning her head in Archie's direction who was rubbing his hand along his chin in a very amusing way. "Um, the cheese." Archie stated as he turned towards the fridge and ended up grabbing not one but two types of cheeses. He softly shut the fridge door with his foot before turning back and placing the cheese on the counter. Betty couldn't help but giggle in amusement as she watched how invested into this salad he was. "Okay now I say we go with the blue cheese." Archie suggested as he began unwrapping it before feeling Betty's hands grab a hold of his. "Arch, are you kidding me. Look at it, it looks disgusting. We are not putting that in the salad." Betty exclaimed as her eyebrows raised while a small smile played on her lips. "Oh come on Betty, it's not that bad. Tell me have you ever even tried blue cheese?" Archie questioned as placed the cheese down and turned his body so that he was facing her. "Well no, but come on it stinks and it looks mouldy." Betty stated as she pointed at the cheese with one hand while the other rested on her hip. Archie slowly turned to the counter and unwrapped the cheese before cutting of a small cube before tuning back to Betty and holding it in-between his fingers. "Just try it. Come on you might like it." Archie said with raised eyebrows and a smile. Betty just squinted her eyes at him before shaking her head. "Absolutely not, never." Betty exclaimed causing a smirk from Archie as he began walking closer to her a move Betty knew all too well. "Don't even think about it Arch, get that away from me." Betty said as she held her hand up in attempt to stop him but he just continued getting closer to her with the cheese in his fingers. "Archie, no. Stop it Archie. Oh my god. No!" Betty squealed as she turned on her heels and began running around the kitchen counter with Archie trailing behind her. This went on for several minutes until Archie caught Betty by her hand pulling her back into his chest as he pinned her against the kitchen island, keeping a gentle hold on her hands behind her back. There where small laughs escaping both there mouths while there where also protest coming from Bettys as Archie's hand which contained the cheese got closer and closer to her mouth. There was no space between there bodies, they could feel each others heartbeats through there skin as Archies body leaned closer to Betty to the point where there lips where only inches away from each other. "Hope we're not interrupting anything." Veronica stated as she walked into the kitchen with Jughead trailing behind her, snapping Archie and Betty from there moment causing Archie to jump away from Betty. Betty could practically feel the tenseness radiating off Jughead as he watched the two of them. She can't imagine how it would've looked to both Jug and Veronica but she also wondered what would of happened if they hadn't of walked in.

The silence that hung in the air at the dinner table was making Betty feel nauseous. All she could hear was the crackling of the fire and the sound of cutlery against plates. She could feel Veronicas eyes flickering between her and Archie every time she took a sip from her wine glass. While she could also feel anger and suspicion radiating off Jughead every time she turned her head in his direction. He was constantly flickering his gaze between Archie and Betty the entire way through dinner, his face scrunched up in the most confused and suspicious manner. Archie knew Betty was feeling uncomfortable, he didn't even need to look at her to know it, he could feel it. In hope of calming her he delivered her one his charming smiles that Betty had always loved and had always managed to calm her down for which she returned the gesture with the small smile that made Archie's heart go crazy. The sudden banging of Jugheads fist against the table making the cutlery rattle causing everyone to shoot there heads up in Jugheads direction. All of a sudden yelling filled the room. "I CAN'T TAKE THIS. WHAT IS GOING BETWEEN YOU TWO?" Jughead yelled as he pushed his chair back and gestured his arms between Archie and Betty. The longer no one spoke the more intense the feeling got. "Jug, what are you talking about?" Archie questioned in a confused tone though behind that feeling a vast amount of fear was creeping up inside of him. Jughead titled his head at Archie before letting out a scoff. "What am I talking about? Let me see. You and Betty and all these little looks and moments you guys seem to be having. In the car on the way here when Betty fell in the front seat or earlier in the kitchen when you where holding Betty so close to your body that there was literally no space between you and right now. At dinner. With the two of you exchanging small smiles. It seems like somethings going on!" Jughead exclaimed as he stood up from the chair and placed his hands on the table. Betty could feel her stomach churning as each word left Jugs mouth, her gaze was firmly flickering between the other three on the table checking everyones facial expression. Archies face showed confusion yet Betty knew behind that facade he was just begging for a way out. To drop this entire situation before it went to far. Veronicas face just showed hurt and shock. Betty was snapped from her thoughts by the sound of Archie speaking up for the first time since Jugheads rant. "Jug, you're being ridiculous." He stated as gently placed his hands on the table, not moving his gaze from Jughead. "Oh really, I'm being ridiculous, so tell me. Can you look me in the eye right now and tell me that nothings happened between you and Betty and that it meant nothing?" Jughead question in a frustrated tone as he leant forward on the table, moving his gaze from Archie to Betty before moving it back to Archie. Archie could feel his jaw clenching as Jughead turned to him. He felt as though he'd hit a dead end and that there was no way out. He didn't care about the repercussions it would have on him, he was worried about what effect this situation would have on Betty. Not only would she possibly lose Jughead but she'd also possibly lose Veronica. Archie slowly turned his gaze to Betty, giving her such a helpless look. He knew there was no way out of this and so did she. "Archie?" Veronica questioned in a tone of shock, disbelief and anger. Archie could feel Veronicas eyes burning into the side of his head as he stared into space with many thoughts going through his mind. "Ronnie..." Archie began to say before being cut of by Veronica standing from her chair and throwing her hands up. "Oh my god. Don't, don't you dare say anything. After everything, whether we were broken up or not. How could you? How could both of you?" Veronica questioned as she pointed her finger in both Betty and Archies direction. The glossiness of tears spread was crystal clear in the fire light and it was almost impossible to look at. "V..." Betty began to say, the first words she had said since the beginning on this entire mess, before being cut of by Veronica just like Archie was. "Don't! You know what, I can't..be in the same room as the two of you right now. I'm going to bed." Veronica explained with a hiss as she turned on her heels and proceeded out into the hallway before turning left onto the flight of stairs. Betty looked to Jughead, his face plastered with a look of hurt and anger. Betty could feel the guilt pooling up inside of her the longer she looked as his expression. "Jug. Please." Betty pleaded a she turned her body to face him. He turned his head slightly before looking to Archie and then to her. "You know, I wish I could say I was surprised but I'm not." He stated before starting off, following in Veronicas footsteps as he shook his head while leaving the room before heading off into the hallway.

Several minutes had passed since Jughead had left the room. No words where exchanged. Archie and Betty just sat there in silence not even looking at one another. Both of them wanted to speak but neither wanted to be the first. All fo a sudden Archie quickly stood up from his chair and began gathering all the plates from the table before walking over to the kitchen island placing them on top. For the first time since the others had left, Betty looked up at him. She could see the pain pouring out of his skin along with the guilt that radiated off him. It was heartbreaking to see. She slowly stood up and walked in his direction placing her self next to him as she began drying dishes. "You don't have to do that. You should get some rest." Archie said as he continued washing dishes. As much as he wanted her company, he wanted her to rest, it was what she needed after tonight. "No it's fine, I don't mind." She stated as she placed another plate onto the pile of already dried plates. Archie stoped what he was doing and turned to her slightly, clasping his giant hands over her soft fragile ones. It was a risky move after everything they've being through but the feeling of her hand in his, made him feel the slightest bit more content. Bettys heart raced at the move, it felt so right yet she felt so guilty. "Betty. You're going to need to rest if you're going to clear things with Jug tomorrow. You go, I'll finish all this." Archie stated with a small laugh which Betty knew he was just doing to make her feel better, he gently tightened his grip on her hand before looking into her eyes. She gave him a small smile, squeezing his hand in return before she slipped her hand from his and dropped the towel before making her way out of the kitchen. Archie didn't know how anything was going to go tomorrow or how any one was going to come back from this but one thing he did know is that he wasn't going to lose Betty Cooper.

It replayed again and again in her mind. The way his lips felt against hers, how there hands linked perfectly together and the words he spoke. She couldn't get it out of her head. With everything that happened, everyone disappeared off to bed so early so it was no surprise to the blond that when she looked at her phone it read 12:45. There was no noise what so ever ringing through her ears. It appeared that everyone was asleep but the blond didn't recall the sound of her red headed best friend creeping up the stairs at any point during the night. Out of curiosity, she quickly slipped out of bed while straightening out her singlet and shorts before proceeding out of the room. The blond quietly tip toed down the stairs leading into the main hallway, expecting to see complete darkness but saw a faint orange flicker coming from fireplace down the hall. She followed the light stopping in the archway of the lounge room, to see her best friend in a nothing but a pair of sweat pants with a blanket draped over his shoulders leaning up against the fireplace with his gaze firmly set on the fiery flickers of flames. She couldn't help but admire the way his toned body radiated in the fiery light making it that much more defined. It got her heart racing just looking at him. The blond slowly and quietly entered the room approaching the red head, making small noises with her feet against the cold hard floor boards. Archie shot his head in the direction of Betty, looking at her with a surprised look. "Betty." He said in a surprised tone as he stayed leaning against the fire, he wanted to smile but apart of him felt like he couldn't and that he shouldn't. He wondered why she was awake at this hour, having thought that she had being sleeping for the past few hours. "What are you doing up?" He questioned as he kept his gaze firmly on her. "I couldn't sleep and I didn't hear you come up stairs so I was just curious as to where you were." The blond explained with a smile as she continued to walk closer to him. "Oh yeah. Well Veronica is practically using one of the rooms as a closet, so there weren't enough rooms. So I just occupied myself down here." Archie explained with a laugh as he kept on altering his gaze from the floor to the Betty. The blond laughed in return and for a moment it felt just like old times. Just the two of them laughing about anything and everything. Then suddenly it got quiet. "I'm so sorry Betty. I should've just said something. It's my fault we're in this situation." Archie said as he slowly sunk to the floor in front of the fire, sitting himself with his legs sightly bended with his elbows resting on his arms. The blond followed his actions and placed her self next to him. "Arch, I kissed you. If anything this is my fault, not yours." The blond stated as she ran her hands up and down her arms as she felt goosebumps forming. The red head noticed and without thinking or hesitating he picked up an end to the blanket and draped one half of the blanket over the blonds shoulders while the other half rested on his. Betty could feel the heat radiating off Archies body as she scooted closer to his side. His skin against hers was like a furnace and it was comforting and it felt like home. It made Betty feel safe. "It meant something you know." Archie said as he began fiddling with his hands in his lap while keeping his gaze locked on the fire. The blond shot her head in his direction as these words left his mouth. She longed for what he was going to say but a part of her also feared. "What did?" The blond question as she kept her gaze firmly set on his face. She could tell he was nervous, it was one of the many things she could just see in him. "The kiss. I know I probably shouldn't be saying anything and I could regret it if I do but I do know I'll also regret it if I don't. It wasn't just a kiss Betty, It meant so much more than that." The red head stated as he turned his gaze from the fire to the blond while bringing his hand up and running it through his red locks. "I know, it meant something to me as well." The blond said as she turned her head to meet the eyes of her life long best friend. Neither of them knew what the other was going to say and it was killing them. "But even so, we can't do anything about it." Betty exclaimed as she turned her gaze away from the red head focusing on the fire. "Why not?" Archie questioned as he kept his gaze firmly on the blonds face, his eyes trailing over every single one of her features. "It would break Jughead and Veronica. Completely destroy them. Hell it could even destroy us." Betty said as she looked back to red head. There was a growing sadness in his eyes and it was heartbreaking to see. Both there eyes had a layer of glossiness due to growing tears. "It couldn't destroy us Betty." The red head stated as he turned his body slightly, so that he was facing her better. Archies eyes where flickering between Bettys eyes and lips, the close proximity and the situation got his heart racing and he could slowly feel himself moving closer and closer to the blond. "How do you know that Arch? We don't even know if we would work." Betty stated as her eyes flickered from his eyes to his lips slowly moving closer and closer towards him. Both there chest where rising up and down the closer they got. "We don't know. But wouldn't we be crazy for not trying." Archie stated as he slowly leaned in towards the blond feeling her breath against his own before crashing his lips against hers. It was just how he remembered it. Soft, plump, gentle and full of passion. Her heart raced as there lips moulded together, she felt his hand gently place on her waist as one of her hands rested on his neck while the other tangled its way into his red locks. After several minutes, the two slowly pulled away. Bodies still close and hands still in the same position. There foreheads leant up against one another, both of them rapidly breathing in attempt to catch there breaths. The red head moved his hand to the small of the blonds back pulling her slightly closer. "It's you and me Betty Cooper. That's how it's meant to be." Archie said with a smile as his eyes locked with hers. The blond returned the smile before moulding there lips together once more, savouring every little moment they had together until the break of dawn. 

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Hope you all enjoyed my first one shot! I'm sorry it was so long but there was so much I wanted to write and I didn't want to cut any of it or divide it into two parts so I just made it one massive part. I really love this one shot personally and I hope you all did too. If you have any request leave them in the comments or send me a message. Remember to comment and vote!

Love you all!

- S 💕💕💕