Archie Andrews (Riverdale)

Part 9*

I don't know what a good night of sleep is for ages.  My head is pounding, every sound is coming louder than the usual, the sun is stronger, my eyes are watering, i'm exhausted .In the distance I hear Betty talking about Cheryl's party with Veronica while coming my way. Jughead and Archie were laughing at something and looking at me.  I gave them a little smile and saw those brown eyes staring at mine.

"What's going on baby girl?"

I turned his way, feeling strong arms pushing me carefully on his lap, resting my head on his chest. I could hear his calm heart beat, the smell of his perfume, his soft hands on my hair, his touch was making my whole body relax. My eyes slowly closing, everything around us becoming lower and calmer, letting me rest. A kiss was placed on my forehead , and I knew this was the read hair boy's way to tell me he was here for me, that I could relax for a little bit, he would be here to take care of me.

***

"Is she asleep?"

Betty asked looking at the girl now unconscious on my arms. Looking at her, sleeping against my chest, was something that felt right. She was so tired...when she smiled to us I saw how exhausted she was, her eyes were tearing, her skin was paler, her lips were dry. I knew she wasn't okay....she must be  struggling to sleep again. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, smelling her perfume and nodded my head to the blonde girl.

"She's struggling to sleep again...she's just tired."'

"You guys look so cute...the fact that she's asleep on your harms must mean something no?"

I smiled at Veronica's comment and rested my head on hers, maybe she trusted me enough to let herself relax. She knows I'll always be here to keep her safe. I left soft kisses on her head and closed my eyes. Feeling her closer to me makes me think about how much I love her. She's everything to me. She's way more to me than I am to her. She could live without me, I had that proved those four months she was away. But I couldn't, every day I looked for her in the halls just to see her, to know she was there, even if she wasn't with me I needed to know she was there, know she was doing okay. And now I can't spend one day without her, touching her was starting to be an addiction. I was starting to feel way more than I should...she already has me around her fingers, all she needs to do is ask me and I'll do whatever she wants.

"Means that I'm here to take care of my baby, that's all."