Chapter Text
Betty's muffled sobs can be heard through their apartment's paper-thin walls. Reggie turns around nervously from where he's put himself back on the couch and groans. "I really think someone should be in there—"
"I asked her," Veronica says curtly, "She wanted to be alone." She is standing in front of the two of them, her arms crossed over her chest, a subtle curl in her lip. She's beyond any sensible anger, now. All it'd take to get her to blow up would be one word out of turn.
And, because who would he be if he didn't, Archie speaks up. "But what if she—?"
Veronica screeches and begins to pace back and forth, yanking at her hair. "How did you two know, huh!? How the hell did you figure it out? I know you." She points angrily, then continues to pace. "I know you couldn't figure out how to unlock a door all on your own if you really, truly tried. So tell me why the hell I got absolutely zero reaction! She's knocked up, for God's sake! Does that not concern either you in the slightest!?"
"Um—" Archie starts, but Reggie cuts him off.
"Ron, even if we didn't know, sometimes shock paralyzes a person. Isn't it better we were silent rather than angry?"
Veronica scowls. "That doesn't explain how you solved this little mystery."
Archie smiles, "I mean, come on Ronnie, that's kind of my—" And this time, Reggie slaps a hand over his mouth.
"You didn't pick up her mess before you left. We went in there to shower and this idiot…" Reggie nods at Archie, "…His clumsy ass fell down and just happened to land on top of one. Not that it was hard. They were everywhere. It's like you guys were in there throwing them around."
She slinks back, her shoulders dropping. "I didn't even think about that." And now she's riddled with her own guilt, as though she's just failed Betty majorly. She's glad, now, that she hadn't agreed to getting rid of the thing. The boys already knew…there would have been nothing to hide. Maybe then they would've gotten mad, learning she'd gone and killed their baby behind their backs.
"Yeah, we could tell."
Archie's suddenly sick of his containment, not understanding why the hell his opinion isn't just as valuable as Reggie's. He frowns, snorts, and gives Reggie's palm a good, dramatic lick. Reggie lets out a terrified yelp and yanks his hand back, shaking it and rubbing it dry against his sweater.
"Jesus Christ, man! Euuuugh!" He gags, sticking his tongue out. "Gross!"
"Oh, please," Archie rolls his eyes, "You've had my spit in worse places."
Reggie gags again and grimaces, brushing his hand on Archie's pant leg. "And you can have it back this time."
Veronica stares, dumbfounded at the two of them. "I seriously cannot believe she let you two impregnate her." She sits down, flustered, and confident this conversation is going to go nowhere.
"Speaking of which—" Reggie strains, now holding Archie at arm's length, his weight tipping him into his back. Archie's got his tongue sticking out, inching towards Reggie's face, "Does she know whose it is?"
"I was going to ask her that, but I don't know. Why? When was the last time she was with you?"
"A few—" Reggie grunts. Archie is winning, by a long shot. "—days ago."
"Oh, right," Veronica nods, "Because you're disgusting."
"Not more disgusting than this!" Reggie cries, refusing to give in. "And we were safe!"
"What about you, Archiekins?"
He doesn't answer right away, because he's finally worn out the man underneath him. He gives the side of his boyfriend's face a good, long swipe with his tongue, almost immediately flipped over as Reggie incites revenge.
"I don't know," He laughs and digs the heels of his hands into Reggie's shoulders. "But you know Betty! She'd skin me before I was allowed to even touch her without a condom on!"
Ronnie huffs. He's right. She's precautious, and maybe that's why Veronica feels more on edge. The poor girl had done everything to stay out of trouble like this, and it hadn't worked. She shakes her head and pinches the bridge of her nose, unable to bear the sight of the boys in front of her any longer.
The front door creaks open just as Archie gets what's coming to him, providing a distraction.
"See how you like it!" Reggie jeers.
As he leaves a trail of his own saliva along Archie's freckly cheek, Jughead enters, finally home after closing up his diner. He and Archie had been the ones to move in together first, and even though he'd chosen to stay out of their relationship, he'd stayed living in the apartment after the others moved in. Sure, that made it tight, but it worked out okay. His recent plans to move in with his long-term girlfriend Midge had fallen through after their breakup, but he didn't mind sticking around. He had, however, drawn the line at joining them, even after their ever-so generous offer. He wouldn't consider himself all that interested in romance, anyway. "I think your tongue is supposed to go in his mouth, Reg."
And somehow, Reggie listens. Veronica's attempt at threatening them into more shock backfires as she watches the two of them writhe around on the couch together, locked in a suddenly passionate embrace. She smiles, annoyed, up at Jughead, who leans against the wall and shrugs.
"At least they're clothed."
"They weren't earlier."
He snorts, "How do you know that?"
"Reggie told me they were getting ready for shower sex when Archie slipped on Betty's positive pregnancy tests."
"Just another day," Jug shakes his head, "I hope you know how insane you sound."
"I do," She nods. "She's in bed, if you want to go talk to her. We went to urgent care to confirm tonight, and I was trying to get these two to weigh in on how they're feeling, but I think somebody's ovulating."
Jughead snickers, "When isn't he?"
"Don't I know it!?" She laments, rolling her eyes.
Jughead retreats and wanders slowly down the hall, a bit baffled at the ease with which Veronica had dropped the news. He stands outside her door for a moment and sighs, "Pregnant, huh?" He murmurs, "You poor thing."
She's curled up, trying not to cry anymore, when somebody knocks on her door. It creaks open, without her permission, and she turns her body only halfway to see who it might be.
"Betty?" Jughead murmurs, "Didn't mean to wake you, I was just—"
"You didn't."
"Oh. Okay, uh, good. Can…can I come in?"
The sheets rustle, which he can only assume is a nod. He takes a few furtive steps inside, timid as he settles on the mattress beside her. He drags his feet along the carpet and takes a deep breath. "So, Veronica told me—"
"Yup."
"I'm sorry."
"Mhm."
He knows not to take her attitude personally. She's going through it, clearly, and he can't begin to imagine how useless Archie and Reggie have been tonight. So they sit in silence for some time, and slowly he can hear her struggle to hold her tears in.
"Hey, now, I thought for sure you'd be all cried out by the time I got to you."
She giggles, sitting up and rubbing her eyes along her sleeve. "Almost, Juggie. Almost." She crawls over towards him, snuggling into his side.
He grabs hold of her, squeezing her tight. "I gotcha, Betts. You'll be alright."
"Thank you," She whispers, closing her eyes. It does not take long for her to fall asleep, and so heavily that she believes her day's been just one big, bad dream.