Riverdale One-Shots

Warm Milk-Varchie

Veronica sat on the couch, reading a magazine, while Archie was in the kitchen making hot chocolate. They had put Jaxon in bed not too long ago, and were enjoying the relaxing quiet before going to bed themselves.

Veronica heard a soft pattering of small footsteps, and turning to see Jaxon plodding into the kitchen.

"Daddy." Jaxon said, tugging on Archie's shirt, "I can't fall asleep."

Archie set down the mug he was holding and scooped up his son in his arms.

"You can't sleep?" He repeated. "Why not?"

Veronica watched from the couch, deciding to let Archie take this one.

"I don't know." Jaxon rubbed his eyes with his small fists.

"Okay, you sit right here." Archie plopped him down on the counter top, "And I'll heat up some milk, okay? Warm milk helps you fall asleep."

Over in the living room, Veronica raised an eyebrow, remembering something from high school.

Jaxon nodded and watched as Archie poured milk into a glass and put it in the microwave. When it was done Archie asked, "Do you wanna hop on my back?"

"Yeah!" Jaxon clambered up on his father's back, wrapping his arms tightly around his shoulders. Archie picked up the glass of milk and carried his son back to his bed.

Once Jaxon was sitting in his bed with the covers pulled over him, Archie handed him the warm glass. He sat down beside Jaxon and rubbed his shoulders gently while he drank.

"Here you go." He said when he was finished, holding the empty glass out to his dad.

"You think you can fall asleep now?" Archie asked. Jaxon nodded and yawned as if to prove it. He laid down, snuggling into his pillow, his arm clutching his teddy bear. Archie smiled.

"Goodnight little man."

"Hhmm." Came Jaxon's muffled reply. Archie kissed his son on the forehead and left the room, closing the door behind him.

When he arrived back in the kitchen to get the hot chocolate, Veronica teased, "Warm milk, Archie. Really?"

"What's wrong with warm milk?" Archie asked, looking puzzled. He set the mugs down on the coffee table and sat down next to his wife.

"Don't you remember that time in high school when Jughead lived with me and my mom and I said I brought him warm milk every night in the hopes he would talk to me, and you scoffed at me for bringing him warm milk?"

Archie thought for a moment, then realised he did in fact remember that incident. He laughed.

"Yeah, I do remember that now." He admitted.

"Well did it help? Is Jax sleepy?"

"He was almost completely out when I left."

"Good. Hopefully he doesn't wake up in the middle of the night with a nightmare again." Veronica said, leaning back against Archie.

"I hope so too."