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Archie and Eric had been at war with one another for a while, and they'd grown quite close over that time. The other soldiers wondered if there was something more between the two besides normal comradery, and they never addressed it. They couldn't outright confirm such claims, as the reaction may be bad, but they couldn't exactly deny it either. Archie had broken up with his girlfriend shortly before heading off to the military, and Eric was single. It wasn't impossible to suggest they may have found solace in each other.
There was something that Archie was hiding, though. Well, not exactly hiding- And no one could call him a liar without looking like a fool themselves, as he had never claimed to not be as such- But he wasn't open about it either. After all, this was the type of thing that could get him discharged from his station if his higher-ups found out. He wasn't really eager to come out about it, but he decided he trusted Eric enough to tell him.
See, Archie was trans.
Not in the sense that he saw himself as a woman, no. If that was the case, he would not have been so eager to join the men's military. No, Archie was instead born in a female's body, but he'd always felt like a boy on the inside. Luckily for him, he had been able to transition young and most people in Riverdale had accepted him for who he was. It was also a part of the reason why Veronica had been so nervous when he said he was going to join the army.
He knew Eric would most likely be okay with this revelation, and he was his higher-up either way. If worst came to worst, Archie could just order him to keep his mouth shut, and Eric would listen. He was always so obedient like that, it was lucky that Archie wasn't the type to abuse his power. Eric was a sort of an emotional punching bag for everyone to take their anger out on because he saw himself as a doormat. A vicious cycle.
"Eric, can I talk to you outside?" Archie asked, entering into the small house that he and his crew were quartered in. Eric stood to attention and Bingo chuckled in the corner as he watched the interaction. He had been one of the first to see the obvious connection between the other two soldiers, so he always found watching them amusing. The way that Eric would bend over backward to listen to the guy. The way Archie would look at him with a smile no one else ever quite received.
"Yes, sarge?" Eric said, saluting the ginger. "At ease, Jackson" Archie told him with a small chuckle of his own. "You're not in trouble or anything" he assured the man, who simply nodded in response with a slightly embarrassed expression. "I just want to talk to you outside, man to man" Archie continued. "Alone as well, Bingo"
"So, what did you wanna tell me, sarge?" Eric asked as they walked outside. Archie looked around cautiously before leading him off to the side where no one would hear them. Eric seemed nervous over this action. He trusted Archie more than anything, but boot camp had made him nervous at the idea of being alone with someone who was afraid to be heard. He had to remind himself that Archie was a good guy, and would not shoot him right then and there for lord knows what reason. It also didn't help that Archie seemed just as nervous...
"I have something to tell you about myself, and I am telling you because I trust you" Archie started, scratching at the back of his neck. Eric had never the other man so anxious before- It was honestly kind of worrying. But, despite his own growing anxiety, Eric just nodded to urge the ginger to continue. "This will probably change how you see me" the sergeant continued. "If nothing else, I just request that you don't go spreading this around. That's an order"
"What is it, sarge?"
"I'm trans" Archie replied shakily. "I was born in a girl's body"
...
"Wait, was that it?"
"What?" Archie asked in return, baffled at the answer he got. He hadn't necessarily been expecting a bad response, but he was not prepared for the corporal to be so unphased by this new information. "Yes, that was it" Archie told him after processing the reaction- Or lack thereof. "You don't care? You don't see me as incompetent? Why are you so unbothered by the fact that I've hidden this from you?"
"You didn't hide anything from me. Nothing of importance, at least" Eric responded softly with a kind smile on his face. "This is the U.S military. It's understandable why you didn't say anything until now, and it's none of my business anyway. No one is entitled to know everything about you, and that includes... Whatever I am to you" he continued with a chuckle. Archie felt himself blush slightly. "You're still the strongest man I've ever met and a damn good sergeant. And I'm glad you trust me enough to let me know this about you"
"I... Wow" Archie replied, stunned. "I mean- Good work, corporal"
"Uh huh"