#nbco

To Noelle’s horror her eyes quickly filled with the tears she had been putting off all morning. Keeping their hands tightly wrapped together Riya turned, checking to make sure no one they knew was around, and dragged the two of them into a nearby cafe.

Though Noelle protested she left her at one of the tables in the back, returning after a few minutes with a soda for them both and sitting in the opposite seat “Okay, shoot,” she said as she dropped a straw into both of the drinks “What’s up?”

“I...can’t tell you,” Noelle said as she bit down on her bottom lip and stirred the soda sat in the glass in front of her with the straw “So, good talk!” she exclaimed jumping to her feet and letting out a groan as Riya grasped onto her sleeve and pulled her back.

“You once came to me to discuss your and Fangs’ sex life Noelle you can tell me anything.”

“That was girl talk,” Noelle replied with a wave of her hand, ignoring the look Riya was sending her “This is kinda big.”

“Did you kill someone?”

“I wish,” Noelle bat back with a sigh as she leaned down to take a mouthful of her drink “It’d be easier to explain. Pea might even be proud of me,” she said with a shrug and an unamused laugh “Okay I’m just gunna say it. Just let the words come out of my mouth,” she said extending her arms in front of her and toward Riya as though that would be any help “I am...you can’t freak out okay? Because your reaction is going to show me what to expect from other people and you, you just can’t freak out okay?”

“You’re kinda scaring me Noe,” Riya said before holding her hands up innocently “I won’t freak out,” she promised.

Noelle took in a deep breath “Impregiegb.”

Riya’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion as she leaned over the table closer to her friend “I’m sorry what?”

“Are you really making me say it again?”

“I genuinely didn’t hear you! You mumbl-”

“I’m pregnant.”

Silence. Riya’s jaw dropped as she sent Noelle a wide eyed look, her hand slowly raising up to cover her mouth.

“You’re freaking out.”

“I, I’m not!” Riya insisted scrambling across the table to grasp onto Noelle’s wrist once more before she could get up and walk away “I’m happy for you! This is what you want right? Of course it is you and Fangs are amazing together...does he know?” she asked before spotting the raised eyebrow on Noelle’s face “Of course he doesn’t you just told me I’m the first one you’re telling...I’m the first one you’re telling?!”

“Okay I knew this was a bad idea,” Noelle said with a sigh.

“It’s not!” Riya insisted before settling down in her seat and clearing her throat “I mean. It’s not,” she repeated in a calmer manner “I’m just...this is amazing Noe honestly. Fangs is going to be so happy.”

A small smile came to Noelle’s face “I’m kinda terrified to tell him,” she said as her hand gently rested on her stomach “Will you walk back with me?”

“Of course,” Riya said as she pushed herself up to her feet and offered her arm to Noelle.

The two of them walked back to Fangs and Noelle’s place in a comfortable silence and with their arms linked, Riya offering reassuring squeezes every so often to let her know she was still there.

“Okay,” she said as the two of them came to a stop outside of Noelle’s place “Off you go,” she continued glancing to her right when all she felt was Noelle gripping her arm even tighter “You got this. Be free!” she paused for a couple of seconds before wriggling her arm from the tight grasp it was being held in “Noelle.”

“Okay, okay,” Noelle answered as she took in a deep breath and brushed her hands down her jacket “Can I come and stay with you if it goes terribly?”

Riya rolled her eyes as she stood behind Noelle and pushed her gently toward the door “We’re thinking of the same Fangs right?” she asked as they both got closer and closer to the house. Reaching her hand into the pocket of Noelle’s leather jacket she plucked the key out and dodged around her to unlock the door “I’ll see you later.”

“I’m going to kill you!”

“Noe?”

She jumped at the sound of his voice, plastering a smile on her face as she turned away from threatening Riya to face him “Morning,” she said as she squeezed passed him through the front door “Hot chocolate?”

“Why were you up and out so early?” Fangs asked as he shut the door behind her and shuffled after her into the kitchen. It was clear he had only just woken up, his hair dishevelled and his hand rubbing at his eye as he let out a yawn “You’re never up early.”

Spinning on her heel she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his waist, leaning with her head on his chest as he hugged her back and rested his chin on her head “I have something to tell you.”

“Did you kill someone?”

Frowning she pulled away slightly so she could look at him through narrowed eyes “Why does everyone think I’ve killed someone?” she asked with a shake of her head, smiling as his face broke out into a laugh “It’s not funny!”

With his arms still wrapped around her waist he nudged his nose against hers “Is everything okay?” he asked as her arms rested over his shoulders and her fingers ran through the hair at the nape of his neck.

“I love you.”

“I love you too,” he answered slowly and almost suspiciously as he gently rocked the two of them from side to side “Is something going on?”

“If you carry on swaying I’ll be puking on your tshirt,” she offered with a shrug of her shoulders, her eyes dropping down as he placed a kiss on her forehead “Do you think...no. I have to…I just...”

“Are you hungover?” he asked with his face full of concern as his right hand reached up to press against her forehead “Sick? You are a little warm, maybe we could-”

“I’m late.”

Fangs’ eyes narrowed as he brushed her hair from her face “You’re always late Noe, whatever it is I’m sure they’re expecting it to be honest.”

She hated to admit it but, as her stomach squirmed with nerves, her eyes filled up once more as her fingers gripped onto his tshirt “No,” she said slowly “But before I say any more you have to promise you won’t be mad and you won’t freak out because Riya did and it freaked me out a little so I’m kinda nervous and I don’t think I’ve ever been nervous around you before so it’s weird.”

Fangs looked taken aback as she finished her ramble by taking in a deep breath. Cupping the side of her face he ran his thumb along her cheekbone a couple of times before leaning down and pressing his lips to hers “I promise.”

“Okay, okay,” she said with a nod before she took a second to run her eyes over his features. She could tell he was worried about what was about to come out of her mouth and she hated keeping him in suspense...but once it was out there it was out there. It became real and she wasn’t sure if she was ready.

But then a smile came to his lips. A slightly nervous smile but one that hit her right in the chest as his eyes sparkled down to her and she knew it was time “I’m pregnant,” she said quietly and his eyebrows immediately furrowed together. Reaching for the hand he still had resting against her face she pressed it against her abdomen “We’re going to be parents.”

She held her breath as his eyes dropped down to where his hand was pressed against her tshirt “Really?”

Nodding she confirmed “I took the test this morning,” as a tear escaped and rolled down her face “Unless, I mean, do you-” she was cut off by him lifting her off her feet and spinning her around “Don’t forget the puke!” she exclaimed through her giggles, reaching up to cradle his face as he set her back down full of apologies “You’re happy then?”

“Beyond,” he said through his grin as his hands rested on her hips “This is the best news I’ve ever heard,” he continued, his voice thick with emotion as he pulled her closer. His eyes closed as they leaned into one another “This is going to be amazing,” he whispered against her lips before capturing them into a soft, gentle kiss.

“I’m so glad you’re happy,” she replied as they pulled apart “Now,” she began patting her hand against his shoulder “I really need to call Riya so she knows I didn’t chicken out.”

Her eyes rolled as the screen of her phone lit up with Riya’s name. She thought about ignoring the call, not in the mood for the lecture she was probably about to receive. She knew Fangs was in the Sheriff’s office, she had tried to go and see him she really had but she’d been turned away, even threatened with a cell of her own if she didn’t leave quietly.

Sure she’d stormed out when he’d explained about his big secret but it didn’t mean she stopped caring.

“You’ve reached Noelle’s voicem-”

“Yeah I’m not falling for that,” Riya’s rushed tone cut across her sentence “Listen. You need to get down to the police station like now.”

Her eyes raised to the ceiling as she slid back off her bed and made her way over to her wardrobe “I tried Riya. They wouldn’t let me passed the front desk,” she said plucking her leather serpent jacket off one of the hangers “If you’re calling because-”

“They’re letting him out. He didn’t kill her we all know that, there’s no evidence so they’re letting him go,” Noelle felt relief sag her shoulders at Riya’s words “But there’s a mob outside. Pitchforks and shouting...they all want Fangs’ head on a plate. We need you here.”

“Of course,” she answered, balancing the phone between her ear and shoulder as she tugged on her jacket “I’m heading out the door now. Is he…” she paused for a second and closed her eyes “Is he okay?”

There was a shuffling noise and Noelle could just picture Riya moving away from the group of boys “He thinks he’s gunna die,” she said in a whisper “I think he’s scared. I can pass the phone over to him?”

“No,” Noelle answered quickly as she slammed her front door shut behind her “I’ll be there soon just tell him I’m on my way and I’m taking the shortcut. Do not leave that sheriff station without me. No matter what.”

Without waiting for Riya to answer Noelle hung up and shoved her phone into the pocket of her jacket before she burst into a run. Her hair flew around her face and the soles of her vans slapped against the sidewalk, her lungs burned but her muscles pushed her on as the worry for Fangs overrode any fatigue.

She swore loudly when she spotted that their usual cut through, a broken part of one of the fences, had been patched up. Her arms flung out into a shrug before she turned on her heel and headed toward the long way around. It would put a good ten minutes on her journey but she’d told Riya not to move him yet.

And she trusted Riya.

Even as she thought it she felt her eyebrows raise slightly and her head shake. If Sweet Pea could hear her now he’d be so smug.

She heard the crowds before she saw them. A bustle of shouting and angry words reached her ears and the panic tingled at her every nerve, she came to a stop before anyone noticed her and took in a deep breath.

It was then that their anger began to spread and Noelle’s panic turned into stone cold fear. Emerging from doors of the Sheriff’s station were her friends. Gathered around the ducked down Fangs they tried to keep him out of sight. Riya was behind them, trying her best to keep people from getting closer as she glanced around wildly to catch sight of Noelle.

“Hey!” the word burst from her lips before she even realised what was happening. Reggie was pushing his way through the crowd of people, his shoulders squared and a purpose to his stride as the serpents were broken apart from Fangs “Stop!” she exclaimed as she stumbled her way down to where everyone was gathered, her actions seeming to be unnecessary when she spotted the gun.

“Reggie!”

Noelle had never been so grateful to see the blur of red hair that belonged to Archie Andrews but her mistrust still made her call “Stop him Andrews!” out in a desperate tone as her trembling legs carried her across the tarmac.

BANG!

Everything stopped. The breath was pushed from Noelle’s lungs at the sound of the gunshot, her hand slowly raised up to press against her chest and someone was screaming “NO!”

It took her a short while to realise that someone was her.

There were hands holding onto her arm and a ringing in her ears but everywhere seemed dark. She could hear Riya’s voice in the distance but Noelle shook her off and began pushing her way through the angry northsiders littering the sidewalk. She had to get to Fangs. He’d be scared, he’d need to hide…

It was like she had been doused in freezing cold water when she finally reached the middle of the crowds. Her head shook as she locked eyes with her best friend, both of their gazes lowering to the hole in his stomach.

“No,” she breathed as he staggered backwards, Sweet Pea catching him before he fell to the floor “Fangs no!” she exclaimed hurrying forward and throwing herself to her knees at his side “It’s okay, it’s okay,” she said pressing her hands against the pool of blood expanding across his jumper.

“Noe...elle…”

“I’m here,” she said with a smile as he reached for her hand “Keep pressure on this,” she said to Sweet Pea, watching closely as his hands replaced hers and she gripped onto the hand Fangs was holding up “It’s okay,” she said pressing her lips against his fingers. Behind her she could hear Jughead shouting for help but blocked him out.

“Don’t leave,” Fangs asked desperately as he gripped onto her hand tighter “I need...to tell you…”

“Hey, dude, you’re gunna be fine okay?” Sweet Pea called over “Wait until you’re better.”

A frown of confusion came to Noelle’s face as she switched her gaze from Sweet Pea and Fangs “Wait for what?” she asked reaching out and straightening “Wait for what?” she repeated as FP made his way over. Bending down he pulled Fangs up, hooking his arm around his own shoulders.

“Wait,” Fangs said in a groan. His face was ashen and the hand reaching out to her was covered in his own blood but she didn’t care. Stepping up close to him Noelle’s breath caught in her throat as he cradled the side of her face, one side of his mouth turning up into a half smile through his pain “I love you.”

Her shoulders rose and fell into a shrug “I love you too.”

Fangs shook his head “No Noelle. I love you.”

Her mouth dropped open as his thumb ghosted along her cheekbone, a single tear falling from his eye before he crumpled in pain “Fangs-”

“I know you’re caught up on Jughead,” his breath was coming out in more of a wheeze as he spoke. Noelle’s eyes drifted across to where the younger Jones was pushing people away “But how...how many times has he hurt you...how many times has he told you he doesn’t love you?”

She opened her mouth to reply but his face contorted in pain and his legs went from beneath him once more “Please help him,” she said in a small voice, glancing over to FP desperately.

“Sweet Pea grab his other side,” FP said as he nodded and tried to turn Fangs around “We need to get to the hospital.”

She stayed frozen in place as Sweet Pea pushed passed her to hook his arm around Fangs’ other side. Her best friend turning his head to send her one last look before they dragged him away.

It was the feel of a hand on her shoulder that brought her back to the present and she turned to see Riya staring up to her with tears lining her eyes “I told you to wait for me,” Noelle snapped, sniffing loudly and reaching up to wipe at her eyes “I told you...to wait,” she continued before the sob caught in her throat escaped as she let the shorter girl hook her arm through hers.