Groaning in his sleep Fangs batted the hand resting on his upper arm away and tugged the quilt further up over his head “Go back to sleep Noelle.”
“I’m serious!” she hissed back nudging his side with her elbow “I don’t think you took a big enough bite out of the mince pie, she’s gunna know it wasn’t Santa!”
“You know Santa is supposed to be the size a human man right?”
“He drives a sleigh pulled by flying reindeer and manages to fit-” Noelle stopped herself and let out a calming sigh “I’m not going to have this argument with you again,” she said with a shake of her head before pushing her hand against his back “Go and eat more of the mince pie!”
Hugging the quilt tightly to him he buried his face into the pillow “You go and eat more of the mince pie.”
“I don’t like mince pies,” she said with a huff as she pushed herself up into a sitting position and crossed her arms tightly over her chest “Do you think I nibbled enough off the carrot we left for Rudolf? What about the other reindeer?”
“Noelle,” Fangs said turning over and pulling himself up so his face was level with hers “She can barely even hold her head up unaided, she’s not going to notice,” he said in a soft tone, holding back the yawn threatening to break out across his lips “Please go to sleep, you’re going to be exhausted and I know the one thing Keeva will definitely want and that’s her mom being on hand to give her cuddles.”
She glanced to him out of the corner of her eye before letting out a long huff of a sigh and rolling her eyes “Fine,” she said through pouting lips, letting out a laugh and batting him away when he leaned over to press a kiss against her cheekbone “I’m going to sleep,” she said shuffling down and resting her head on the pillow.
But she didn’t sleep.
She wasn’t sure why her mind was going into overdrive but she couldn’t stop herself from overthinking all the little details of the day ahead. It was Keeva’s first Christmas, they’d look back on pictures from the day for years to come, and she couldn’t help but worry whether or not she had done everything right.
The familiar ache of her missing mom sent a pang through her and she found herself wondering if she’d be feeling like this if she was still around.
April Bamber would have had it all under control. There would have been nothing left over to worry about, no second guessing and everything would have been done in a relaxed manner. She’d be sleeping soundly not worrying whether or not Keeva’s ‘First Christmas’ bauble was placed in a decent spot on the tree.
“MERRY CHRISTMAS!”
Stifling a yawn Noelle grinned over to where Sweet Pea had crashed in through the front door. There was a Santa hat on his head and a dusting of snow across his shoulders, he made sure to pause at the door to kick his heavy boots off before he made his way through to the living room “The girls are following me,” he said jabbing his thumb over his shoulder when he noticed Noelle glance to the still open front door with her eyebrows raised, Riya arriving soon after him with an apologetic roll of her eyes as her boots joined his on the matt.
“I told him to knock before just barging in I promise,” she said holding her hands up and shaking her head.
“Hope you’re all hungry,” Noelle said pushing her hair from her face and raising her eyes to the ceiling as Toni and Cheryl finally appeared through the door and began unwrapping themselves from their coats and scarves.
“You know me Bambi, always hungry,” Sweet Pea said, his eyes lighting up when he spotted his giggling goddaughter sat in her bouncy chair with her arms held out toward him “Here she is, the lady of the hour,” he said as he unbuckled her and lifted her up into his arms, nodding his head along with her babbling.
“Are we opening presents then?” Toni asked hopping up onto her tiptoes to press a kiss to Keeva’s chubby little cheek “Your Aunts Choni are going to win the Best Present Award,” she said in a higher pitched tone as she gently poked at Keeva’s belly.
Wrapping his arms around Noelle’s waist from behind Fangs nuzzled his nose into her neck before leaning his chin on her shoulder “You okay?” he asked hugging her tightly and laughing softly when he noticed the emotion in her face.
“I’m being silly,” she answered wiping at her eyes and leaning back against him. She wasn’t sure if she had prepared the turkey properly, if they had enough potatoes to go around or if Toni was vegetarian this week but she felt a calm wash over her as she watched her friends fuss over her daughter “This is exactly how I wanted it to be.”
Fangs let out a sigh as he hurried to keep up with her “Drink yourself stupid? I blame Sweet Pea,” he said as he lurched forward to catch her when she stumbled.
“No,” Noelle answered as she slung an arm around his shoulders and leaned most of her weight against his side “I mean this!” she continued throwing her arms out, nearly sending them both off balance, as though that in itself explained what she meant “My life. My decisions.”
He kept his arm around her waist as she tried to wriggle free, her feet stumbling over nothing as he fought to keep her upright. He knew this was something to do with Jughead Jones, as soon as she ordered the first double he knew it was because of the new serpent in their lives “Help me out Noe,” he whined as she tried to free herself from his grasp once more.
“Imma go talk to him.”
“Okay no,” Fangs said lifting her up off her feet and continuing to walk, ignoring her protests as they got closer to her place and further away from the Jones trailer “You’re not putting yourself through that any more,” he continued as she fought to be placed back on her feet “I won’t let him hurt you.”
“So let me hurt him,” she argued as she lay her head back onto his shoulder “Please Fangs?” she asked, a pout to her lips as though she were a child asking for an ice cream.
He let out a laugh and shook his head as he finally let her stand on her own and reached for her hand once more “How about you sleep first and hurt him in the morning?”
Noelle thought it over for a couple of seconds as they continued their walk to her place. Swinging their joined hands between them she nodded her head “I guess that’s a good plan,” she said with a shrug “I wish things were easier.”
“If we weren’t tested how would we learn?” Fangs asked arching his eyebrows over to her and reciting one of her mother’s favourite sayings “Here,” he added as he plucked the keys she was holding up out of her hand. There was no way she was going to be able to navigate a key into a lock in her state.
“You’re so good to me,” she said with a sigh as she leaned against the side of her house and watched him unlock the door. Her eyebrows furrowed for a second as her eyes flickered over his frame “Wow I’m really drunk.”
“Probably a bad idea to get into a shot drinking contest with Sweet Pea,” Fangs grumbled beneath his breath as he flicked the hall light on and turned to lock the front door behind them “You go to your room,” he said, gently placing his hands on Noelle’s waist to guide her toward the bedrooms “I’ll bring you some water.”
“And some vodka!”
“No,” he answered shortly before shooing her away, standing in place for a few seconds to make sure she didn’t stumble over.
“Spoilsport,” she mumbled beneath her breath as she slid her jeans down over her legs and kicked her feet out, replacing them with her loose fitting pyjama bottoms. Grasping the hem of the tshirt she was wearing she made to pull it over her head “Fangs???”
“What’s wrong?” he called back as he made his way down to her bedroom, glass of water in hand and a pack of painkillers for the morning. Turning the corner into her room he came to an immediate stop.
She was stood in the middle of the room, tshirt pulled up over her head, bra on show and grumblings of “I think I’ve gone blind. Does this mean I can have a dog?”
“Okay that isn’t an appropriate question,” he said with a huff as he placed the water and the pills down on her bedside table. She jumped as he reached out to her, guiding her arms and her tshirt back down “Can’t leave you alone for a second,” he jokingly scolded as she stared to him with heavy lidded eyes “C’mon,” he encouraged as he helped to push her tshirt up and over her head, his fingertips brushing the skin of her sides every few seconds.
“Will you stay and talk?” she asked once she was safely in her pyjama top “I mean. Just for a little bit?”
Knowing he was unable to say no to her Fangs smiled “Sure,” he said making sure she didn’t fall as she climbed beneath her sheets and hopping up onto the bed beside her.
Laying with their heads on each pillow they rolled over so they were facing one another. A tight lipped smile came to Noelle’s face as she tucked her hands beneath her cheekbone “I wish...” letting her sentence trail off she pressed her lips together once more and shook her head.
He frowned in confusion as her eyes searched his face “Not gunna puke are ya?”
“No,” she said with a sigh before she reached out with her right hand to gently run the backs of her fingers down the side of his face.
“Do I have something on me?”
“No,” she shook her head as she wriggled closer “You always look out for me,” she said as her fingertips traced a line from the top of his face to the bottom “I’m so lucky to have you,” she continued, her fingers running over the top of his ear until her hand was resting at the back of his neck.
“Noe?”
She smiled as her nose bumped gently against his, their lips brushing against one another before she took the plunge and gently kissed him.
His eyes were wide, his eyebrows arched, in surprise when she pulled away from him. Her hand softly running from his neck to his shoulder “Sorry,” she said glancing up to him as she chewed nervously on her bottom lip.
But his arm had wrapped around her waist, pulling her close to him he leaned his forehead on hers for a few seconds before he kissed her back. Her fingers gripped onto his shoulder as her body pressed into his.
“Wow,” she breathed as they parted and her hand moved down to rest on his chest. He was looking down to her through his eyelashes, an odd expression on his face as his fingertips lightly brushed her hair behind her ear “I...”
“It’s okay,” he said with a smile as he rolled onto his back and she rested her head in place of her hand on his chest “Go to sleep,” he said as he ran his fingers through her hair soothingly, dropping a kiss on the top of her head “We’ll talk about it in the morning.”
I’ve been writing this for far too long. Requested by @isaaclahys (or it might have been @beauxbatcns I can’t remember...)
She wasn’t even sure where she was heading. Wandering around the streets of the Southside Noelle wrapped her leather jacket around herself and scuffed the soles of her boots against the sidewalk.
What was she going to do?
She had left Fangs back at their place. He had looked too peaceful for her to wake and that would be her excuse. This wasn’t something she could tell him yet, it wasn’t even something she felt she could tell herself yet and the panic bubbling throughout her body was enough to make the decision to just go for a walk for her.
Spotting Riya in the distance her head raised and she allowed herself to feel a pinch of hope. Riya was level headed, Riya would know what to do…
“Hey!!”
Riya was looking at her as though she had spouted another head “You’re...chipper this morning?” she said, her statement more like a suspicious question, as she looked to Noelle with narrowed eyes.
“Just happy to see my friend,” she answered throwing an arm around Riya’s shoulders and sending her a, possibly manic looking, grin.
She knew she must have looked as though she had lost the plot when Riya came to a stop, reaching out and grasping her hand before she continue walking “What’s happened?” she asked tilting her head to one side with concern written all over her face.
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.”
“Oh no,” Fangs said with a smirk as he leaned down to sweep her feet from under her “We’re celebrating. Riya won’t mind waiting until later.”
dying kisses for foelle pls if i didn’t want prompts i shouldn’t have reblogged it where i could see 👀
(If things happened differently…)
The noise of the crowd outside of the Sheriff station echoed through the room as Noelle moved away from the window “What do we do?” she asked the pacing Jughead “Huh? What’s your plan?”
His jaw tensed as he turned away from her, his hands running down his face in exasperation “I don’t know Bambi,” he said in a hushed tone when she appeared by her side the two of them throwing glances over their shoulders to where Toni and Sweet Pea were comforting Fangs.
“I can not have anything bad happen to him Jughead,” she said in a hissed whisper as she jabbed her finger into his chest “So we’d better come up with a plan and fast.”
Noelle pushed her hair from her face as she turned in time to see Fangs pull away from their friends “Noe what’s happening,” he said in a desperate tone, the panic he was feeling evident on his face as she reached out to him “I don’t want to die.”
Her heart dropped into her stomach as her hands reached up to cradle his face. Blinking furiously to hide the tears she knew were coming to her eyes she put a smile on her face and shook her head “You really think I’d let anything bad happen to you?” she asked, hoping her voice wasn’t trembling as much as her insides were.
“They’re after my blood Noe,” he said as he shook his own head, his panicky breathing getting quicker and quicker “I didn’t do it, I didn’t hurt her.”
She wrapped her arms around him and she assured him over and over that she knew, it had been proven he was innocent and not a single one of them believed it was something he was capable of “We’re gunna get you home safe,” she said with all the confidence she could gather as they pulled out of their embrace.
This time it was his turn to cradle her face in his hand as he forced a smile “I just-” he paused for a second as he stretched his neck to make sure the others were busy “C’mere,” he continued grasping onto her hand and pulling her out of view.
Noelle smiled up to him as her brows furrowed slightly in confusion “If this is you admitting to losing my favourite basketball when we were kids because you think something bad is going to happen let me stop-”
But it was him who stopped her before she could continue. With his left arm curling around her waist and his right hand gently resting between the base of her neck and her shoulder he silenced her with a kiss. Just a small one. A quick touch of their lips, barely even giving her eyes time to flicker closed, before he pulled away and left her breathless.
“Guys you ready?” Sweet Pea asked, his eyes looking between the two of them with a knowing gaze, poking his head around the corner and jabbing his thumb over his shoulder “Jug has a plan, we’re getting you out dude.”
As he disappeared the two of them turned to face one another again Noelle’s mouth opening to speak but no words emerging.
“It’s okay,” Fangs said with a smile, reaching down to squeeze her fingers with his own “We’ll talk later, when this is over.”
He was gone before she could say a word, more confidence in his shoulders as the two of them made their way over to find out what Jughead had planned for their escape.
She found herself barely listening to what was about to happen as her mind raced and her fingers itched to reach up to touch her lips. It had been something she had never expected but was realising had always been there at the same time.
“Okay,” Jughead said snapping her back into reality as the five of them all gathered around Fangs by the door. Taking in a deep breath Noelle glanced around all of the faces there to protect her best friend - her ex crush, Riya a girl she had always seen as a frenemy, Sweet Pea and Toni “Let’s go you guys.”
The noise erupted around them as soon as the doors were flung open. Fangs stayed crouched down, his hands covering his head as the others surrounded him protectively.
“All that’s missing is the pitchforks,” Riya said in disbelief as they closed closer around Fangs, chancing a proper glance around she bent back in with a concerned look on her face “We got Reggie in coming, Archie is following him but he looks pissed.”
“Of course you’d pick him out of the crowd,” Sweet Pea grumbled as he separated from the group to push a few of the crowd back away from them.
“Not the time Pea!” Toni called in a clipped tone as she stumbled over someone’s foot, beginning to yell at people to ‘step the fuck back’ as she found herself trailing behind.
With the crowds closing in on them they all found themselves separating in some way or another. Whether it be pushing people away or getting caught up as the people surrounding them surged forward. Riya called out for Archie to stop Reggie doing anything stupid while Noelle reached out to grasp hold of Fangs’ sleeve before he could disappear.
“I’m okay,” he reassured her as he pulled her close to his side. Her hands gripped onto his jacket as the two of them glanced around wildly for a way out, for a gap in the crowd that they could slip through to disappear.
“Reggie stop!”
“How about we go-” she had taken a step in front of him so she was able to gesture to the left and grab his full attention at the same time when she found herself being propelled into his arms.
“Noe? Noelle what is it?” Fangs asked, holding her up and frowning when he realised she was finding it hard to breathe.
Then it all seemed to hit him at once as time sped up and he lowered the two of them to the ground. As the shouts of ‘GUN!!!!’ going on around him finally reached his ears panic flooded his body in a chill and his hand shook when he lifted his hand away from her back to see it covered in blood.
Her breathing was coming out in wheezes as her fingers gripped onto him. Around them Sweet Pea, Jughead, Riya and Toni were all yelling for help but he was barely paying attention as he shuffled her further onto his lap and ripped his jacket off to press against her wound.
“I’m really…”
“It’s okay,” he reassured her as he stroked her hair from her face with his free hand “Don’t try to talk, help is on the way.”
But she was shaking her head as she pulled on him to come closer “I’m really glad…I got to kiss you…” she said breathlessly as a weak smile came to her face and FP Jones finally appeared behind them. Reaching up as best she could she pulled his face closer, touching their lips in a similar way he had.
Only her kiss was only quick because her eyes were closing and she was falling limply against his chest.
“No, no, no,” Fangs said through his tears as he hugged her close to him, allowing FP to help them both up and reaching out for her as the older serpent slung her up into his arms.
“Hospital, now!”
It was the last thing she heard, Fangs’ touch on her hand the last she felt before her head lolled backwards and she allowed the darkness to overcome her…
“How many times has he told you he doesn’t love you?” - NOELLE AND FANGS
Requested by @isaaclahys :)
“It was me.”
Noelle let out a sigh as she dropped down onto her bed. Her fingers raked through her hair as she propped herself up against her pillows.
“I was the one sleeping with Midge.”
Her stomach squirmed as anger surged through her veins.
There had never been anything she and Fangs hadn’t told each other before...but this, this was big and he had kept it to himself. She didn’t even care he had been going around with Midge when she had a boyfriend. He’d had to witness the girl he was seeing murdered and strung up on the backdrop of a musical he had been a part of organising and he hadn’t told her.
Had he been mourning? Had he let her chat away about Jughead and how infuriating he was while he was really hurting?
Had he not trusted her with something so secret in his life?
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.
“Come on,” Riya said softly “Let’s follow them to the hospital.”
Noelle swore beneath her breath at the sound of Carmen’s voice. Spinning on the spot she sent a sheepish smile to her suspicious looking friend “The bathroom?” she answered knowing nothing about what she was doing or saying was very convincing.
“Pee outside now do you?”
“Okay I was escaping!” Noelle admitted ignoring the fake shocked look Carmen was sending her “This is a northsider party Perez I don’t fit in here!”
But Carmen was shaking her head as she made her way over and hooked her arm through Noelle’s “No it’s my party and you’re my friend so you fit in perfectly!” she exclaimed grinning up to Noelle and squeezing her arm.
“I knew I should have put a stop to you and Sweet Pea when we met,” Noelle grumbled beneath her breath “I can’t listen to Archie Andrews explain football to me any more and if Reggie Mantle-”
“Reggie’s here?” Carmen asked coming to a stop and frowning up to Noelle.
“Yes and if he touches me one more time I am going to punch him in the face.”
“Feel free,” Carmen said with a shudder “He shouldn’t be here anyway.”
It was as though she had just read out the winning lottery numbers and Noelle was holding the ticket “Are you telling me this is a party Reggie Mantle needs to be kicked out of?” she asked arching her eyebrows almost in excitement.
“I…might be,” Carmen answered with more than just a hint of suspicion “But I don’t want him to leave in a body bag Bamber so please no knife play.”
“Oh you’d like that wouldn’t you,” Noelle clapped back with a smirk and a wink “But no. No violence just please let me kick him out! I won’t insult anyone for the rest of the night!”
“Now that is something I’d like to see,” Carmen hummed as she tapped her finger against her chin “And you’ll stop bringing kinks up you assume I have?”
“I’m not promising you the world here Carms?”
Letting out a loud laugh Carmen shook her head and re-hooked her arm through Noelle’s “I’ll ask him to leave,” she said ignoring the whine of disappointment “If he protests you can do what you like.”
“Well then! Now you’ve got yourself a party!”
Carmen shook her head as she watched the other girl walk away “Hey, babe?” she asked grabbing hold of Sweet Pea’s arm as he passed her “Can you keep an eye on Noelle for me? I think she wants to kill someone at my party.”
A laugh lit up his face “The one thing you’ll learn hanging with my friends is that no one can control Noelle Bamber when she’s on a mission,” he said curling his arm around her and pressing a kiss against the top of her head “But if it does happen I guess I’ll help with the clean up after.”
“You’re in love with her.” Noelle and Pea thanks bye
Sweet Pea smiled to himself as Noelle bustled passed him. Her hand rested on his shoulder for barely a second before she hurried off into the crowds at the newly reopened Wyrm.
“So,” Toni said with a grin as she hopped up onto the pool table before Sweet Pea could take his shot “When were you gunna tell me?”
He scowled as he held his cue up for her to see “Trying to play a game here?”
Shrugging her shoulders Toni crossed her right leg over her left and leaned with the palms of her hands pressed against the green of the table top “I’ll move when you answer me.”
“Don’t know what you’re talking about,” he grumbled, his attention grasped hold of when he spotted one of the guys reach out to pinch Noelle’s bum as she passed.
“She can handle herself,” Toni said pressing her hand against his chest to stop him just as Noelle began to wipe the floor with the older, drunken serpent “You’re in love with her.”
His gaze quickly transferred down to where she was smirking up to him “Who?”
“Noelle!” Toni exclaimed letting out a laugh as he quickly moved to press his hand against her mouth “Gerroff!” she mumbled as she pushed him away “So?”
“So nothing,” he said with a scowl as he hooked his arm around her and lifted her off the table with ease “Stop talking,” he said as he glared down to his friend as Noelle made her way over to the two of them.
“This place is packed!” she said with a clap of her hands and a grin on her face. Wrapping her arms around Sweet Pea’s middle in excitement she leaned her head on his chest “Thank you for helping me so much!” she exclaimed before hopping up onto her toes and pressing a kiss to his cheek.
“Yeah,” Toni said with a smirk on her lips as Noelle hurried back off to help behind the bar. Reaching up she pinched his cheek as a slight blush coloured in and he dragged his eyes away from Noelle “You’re right. You’re the opposite of in love with her.”
“Hey,” Riya said in a whisper as she opened up the door to Fangs’ room.
Noelle’s head turned slowly to her, a yawn stretching at her mouth, as she nodded her greeting without letting go of his hand. Machines bleeping sucked up all of the silence in the space.
“How’s he doing?” Riya asked crossing the room and sitting down in the chair opposite her friend’s.
“Good,” Noelle answered as her thumb rubbed the back of Fangs’ hand “Just wish he’d wake up,” she continued with a watery chuckle and a roll of her eyes. They had been waiting for Fangs to come round for a couple of days after his surgery had gone well.
He needed his rest the doctors and nurses had insisted. Noelle was getting impatient.
“You should go home,” Riya said, jumping to her own defence when she saw the look she was being sent “You’re exhausted Noe! You need sleep!”
“And what if he wakes up when I’m not here??” she asked shaking her head “No. No I’m staying until he wakes up.”
The beeping took over once again as Riya sat back in her chair and smiled weakly over to her friend. She was worried about her, she knew sleeping in a chair and only eating out of the hospital vending machine was doing more harm to her than good.
“I brought you some food,” Riya said handing a bag over to the intrigued looking Noelle, a smile of amusement coming to her face when she saw her friend’s nose wrinkle up.
“This is all healthy shit?”
“If you’re insisting on practically living in this hospital room you need to eat well!” Riya defended herself with a shrug of her shoulders before she gestured to the other bag she had brought along with her “I’ve also brought you a blanket and a pill-ooh!” she exclaimed in shock as her word was cut off by Noelle tugging her into a tight hug “You’re hugging me.”
“You’re not hugging back,” Noelle answered in a grumble, smiling triumphantly as Riya hugged her back “Thank you. I don’t deserve you.”
“Oh shush,” Riya answered patting Noelle’s back “It’s what friends do.”
