Cheronica

Cheronica is the femslash ship between Cheryl and Veronica from the Riverdale fandom.

Canon
They meet once Cheryl takes an interest in Veronica, who has just moved to Riverdale from New York. Cheryl insists Veronica try out for the Riverdale Vixens and seemingly aims to add Veronica to her squad, but quickly realises Veronica isn't the following type when they face off over Cheryl's treatment of Betty. Although Cheryl proceeds to treat Veronica with disdain, Veronica sees through Cheryl's mean girl facade and goes to comfort Cheryl when she runs off at the fall Pep Rally meant to honour Jason's memory. Though Cheryl pretends to be part of the "established order" of misogyny of Riverdale High, she ends up teaming up with Betty and Veronica to help them rid the football team of the sexist pigs, once Cheryl realises her brother was one of them.

In spite of Cheryl's rivalry with her, she seems to want to be around Veronica, crashing her and Kevin's hangout at the last Drive-In showing. Their relationship changes when Cheryl invites Veronica for a sleepover at Thornhill the night before Jason's memorial. Veronica has dinner with Cheryl, her parents and Nana Rose, and is met with icy disdain, but it doesn't face her. Veronica is surprised to be met with a more vulnerable Cheryl, who didn't want to feel alone the night before saying goodbye to Jason and Cheryl reveals that she invited only Veronica as she was the only one who cared about her breakdown at the Pep Rally. Cheryl shows Veronica photos of Jason and says that Jason would've loved Veronica. Veronica supports Cheryl in the face of her parents' repression and encourages Cheryl to do what she wants at the memorial, to honour Jason as she wishes to do. Emboldened, Cheryl wears the dress she wore the day of Jason's disappearance and Veronica is stunned at the sight of Cheryl entering the memorial. Cheryl tries to give a eulogy, but breaks down crying and Veronica goes to comfort Cheryl.

When Polly escapes the Sisters of Quiet Mercy, both Cheryl and Veronica partake in a search for Polly in the woods, albeit on different teams. Cheryl later warns Polly about Cheryl's parents' intentions and Veronica offers Polly sanctuary at the Pembroke. Veronica hosts a baby shower for Polly which Cheryl attends with her mother and grandmother, where Cheryl informs Veronica that her Nana Rose might be a bit off, as they witness Rose predict that Polly is pregnant with twins. Their frenemy dynamic continues as Veronica is frustrated with her family and decides to take down Cheryl by challenging Cheryl for the leadership of the River Vixens. They compete in a dance off, where the Vixens declare Veronica the solid winner and Cheryl "fires" her minions in rage.

To get revenge, Cheryl decides to crash Jughead's birthday party with Chuck Clayton and starts a game where people have to reveal secrets. Cheryl faces off with Veronica who accuses Cheryl of being into her brother when Cheryl tries to get back at Veronica by revealing the Lodges' activities. They're all thrown out by FP and the girls don't really communicate for a while after that. Cheryl attends Homecoming where Veronica and Archie perform together, and she leaves, saddened. FP is arrested for Jason's murder and Veronica witnesses Cheryl hitting Jughead when he apologises to her on his family's behalf. Once they find the video of Clifford shooting Jason, they're all shocked and let Cheryl know.

Cheryl's shaken by the discovery, which Veronica notices when Cheryl 'retires' from Vixens and gives Veronica captainship. Veronica worries about Cheryl's wellbeing and state of mind, and rightfully so when she gets a text from Cheryl saying goodbye. Veronica deduces where Cheryl is and finds her at the frozen Sweetwater River just in time for her, Betty, Archie and Jughead to save Cheryl from drowning herself. Veronica brings Cheryl back to the Pembroke but Hermione unceremoniously asks Cheryl to leave despite Veronica's objections and Veronica leaves Cheryl to go to a school function.

FRENEMIES CONTINUED

Cheryl and Veronica don't really spend any time together following the events at Sweetwater River, until Cheryl invites herself to a party thrown by Veronica's visiting acquaintance, Nick, from New York. Cheryl and Veronica both decide to partake in drugs supplied by Nick at the party, with which they get high and daze about. Nick tries to assault Veronica and apologises the following day at a SoDale event, then he proceeds to spike Cheryl's drink. Veronica performs with the Pussycats, but keeps an eye on Nick. When he leaves with Cheryl, Veronica and the Pussycats follow to his hotel, find him about to rape Cheryl and beat him up.

Cheryl is shaken and comforted by Josie and Veronica, and stays the night at Veronica's. The next morning Cheryl and V overhear Penelope Blossom telling the Lodges that the ordeal was probably made up by Cheryl, and Cheryl cracks beneath the longtime abuse of her mother, dismissing Veronica's imploring that Cheryl report the assault. Despite the trauma, Cheryl attends the drag race between the Serpents and the Ghoulies with Veronica, Reggie, Kevin, Jughead, Archie and Betty, serving as the flag waver.

Fanon
This was the 2nd most popular femslash pairing (after Beronica) for a while on the series, and the most popular femslash pairing for Cheryl, until Choni became canon. (Cheryl's diminshed screen time in Season 2 led to a sharp decline in interactions between Cheryl and Veronica, but the season was problematic as a whole re: relationships on the show). It remains a popular ship and seems to be getting back to familiar territory in Season 3, which fans have been surprised, but delighted, by.

Songs

 * dreams | GRACE JOYNER

Fandom
AO3

TUMBLR

Photos

 * Cheronica/Gallery