Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

“I should call Bill and Mike.”

It was a simple statement that broke through the soft playing music and Richie’s concentration on the dimly lit road. Thankfully, the storms that were scattered on the coast hit them while there was still daylight, and the drive through the night was less scary. Normally, Richie’s goal was to drive about eight hours or so, until he hit Pennsylvania, stopping around Philly.

It looked like they were on track despite their late start, but the dark roads were not friends to Richie’s straining eyes. They still had about three hours until then, after speeding through New Hampshire, (at Eddie’s insistence), and trailing through Massachusetts, making decent time. They were either at the top of Connecticut or the bottom of New York state (they couldn’t remember), and on their way to a motel that Richie had looked into the day of their last show.

Fun how things played out since then.

Richie’s eye flicked over at Eddie and just as quickly went back to the road. “I thought you were going to call them a couple hours ago.”

A guilty frown weighed down Eddie’s lips. “Yeah. I know. I was. I just… I don’t want them to freak out when they’re already worried about going home themselves.”

Mike more so than anyone had the longest drive. He was planning to divide it over a couple days just to be safe, but Eddie wasn’t exactly sure where that left him on the map. He honestly could have been behind them, but he doubted it. He wasn’t leaving until later.

He was visiting Bill’s home in Bangor.

It was Eddie’s idea for Bill to invite him over before Mike had to hit the road. Bill’s mom was an absolute angel, and would definitely warm up to the idea of her son dating boys if she got to meet the man of Bill’s current affections. There was nothing about Mike that she wouldn’t like, and of course it never hurt to learn more about each other’s families.

Eddie hoped that by next year, Mike was going to take Bill to Tennessee, if things progressed the way they wanted to. They hadn’t really talked about that part yet. It was up in the air about going on official dates after they got back, but Eddie knew they would figure something out. It felt like they were dancing around him, since Eddie’s deal with Richie was so complicated.

Like Stan, they probably didn’t want to flaunt their newfound happiness in front of Eddie. But had they asked, Eddie would have told them it was about damn time.

“Call Mike first. Get it out of the way. They both deserve to know, but Mike is the farthest one away. He’ll be worried.”

Richie was right, of course.

Eddie pulled out his phone, which had held its battery well over the course of their five hour drive. To his credit, he had blocked his mother, who tried calling when they were barely out on the road. So the lack of incessant calls helped.

Eddie pulled up Mike's number and pressed the call button. Richie turned the already quiet music down until it was silent, save for the ringing that was on speaker.

There was a quick shuffle on the other end, and Mike’s voice broke through the speaker.

“Eddie?”

“Heyyyyy Mike,” said Eddie, sounding as suspicious as a dog that ripped up the couch.

“Hey, man. Are you okay? Why do you sound like that?” he asked, concerned, and rightfully so.

“Oh, you know, I’m just.. Chillin’.” He smacked his hand against his forehead. Why did he say that?

“Eddie, if you don’t tell me what’s going on I’m going to pull over-”

The other boy nearly dropped his phone in panic. “Okay, okay. Don’t do that. I’m fine. Uh, say hi to Richie.”

“...Hi, Richie.”

Eddie turned the microphone side of his phone to Richie, who moved his mouth as far right as it could go without looking away from the road.

“Hey, Mike,” he greeted him cheerfully.

There was silence on the line for a deafening moment.

“Eddie?”

He held his unoccupied fist up to his mouth and spoke against it.

“Yeah?”

“Why are you with Richie?” Mike’s tone wasn’t mad. It was more like, extremely baffled. “Isn’t he on his way to Ohio?”

“Yeah, so funny story, Michael,” Richie spoke on Eddie’s turn. He drummed his fingers against the steering wheel, a nervous habit. “We are actually… um. On our way to Ohio.”

Both boys braced themselves.

“Eddie?”

Mike’s tone was still the same. Eerily calm.

“Yeah?” Eddie’s voice, however, went up an octave.

“Why are you oN YOUR WAY TO OHIO?!?”

There it was.

“Let me explain, Mike. I promise it will make sense.”

Mike listened to Eddie explain his side of the story, including Richie’s offer and what happened at his mom’s. The line was quiet for a long time, enough for Eddie to check to make sure they hadn’t disconnected.

“Shit… Eddie… Jesus Christ. Are you sure you’re alright?”

Eddie sighed. “Yeah. I’m okay. I promise. I’m going to stay with Richie for winter break.”

“The whole month? Are you sure?” Mike asked. “I’m sure you could stay down with me for a week if you need-”

“It’s fine, Mike. I’ve got it covered. My folks don’t mind at all.”

Mike had no idea that Richie hadn’t told his parents about Eddie yet, but he planned to, as soon as they stopped for the night.

There was something in Richie’s voice that kept him from pressing forward with more questions. A sureness. 

“Alright. But if you guys need anything…”

“I’ll call you. I promise.”

Eddie was making a lot of promises lately.

“Have you told Bill?”

“Not yet. I’m calling him right after you.”

Mike managed a chuckle. “Well, good luck with that. I’m not sure how easy he’ll take it.”

That was a worry of Eddie’s as well. But if Mike could be… calm, Bill wouldn’t be nearly as bad.

He hoped.

“We’ll be fine,” Eddie told him, trying to convince himself. “I’m gonna let you go.”

“Okay Eddie. And, oh, thank you.”

“For what?”

“You know what you did,” Mike hinted slyly.

Dammit Bill. You weren’t supposed to tell him.

Richie managed a curious glance in Eddie’s direction. What did he do?

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. Goodbyeeee.”

Eddie hung up right as Mike’s laugh started to fill the car.

“What was that about?” Richie asked, with a twinge of jealousy.

Eddie huffed. “Nothing, just trying to play Cupid. But Bill has a big mouth.”

Speaking of, it was time to call his other friend.

Richie chuckled, relieved. “Cupid, huh? Something tells me those two don’t need any help.”

“No, probably not,” he smirked. “Guess I should call him next.”

Bill’s reaction was just as Mike predicted.

“YOU’RE NOT HOME???”

Once Eddie filled Bill in on what happened, he lost the frantic surprise in his voice, replacing it with a much somber tone.

“Oh man. Dude.”

“I know. But I’m okay.”

“You know, you can fluh-fl-fly out here if you need to.”

Now Richie was starting to feel insulted. Did anyone think that he could take care of Eddie for a month?

“No need Bill. My parents are fine with it. Plus, Eddie shouldn’t be traveling all over the place. Who knows what his mom told people.”

“Yeah, you’re right Richie,” said Bill, not exactly convinced. “Can you even go back Eddie? Do you need to involve the cops?”

“No, no cops,” Eddie insisted. He was tired of the cops being mentioned. They never helped him before.

But no one needed to know that.

“I’ll go back eventually. If only to get my things. Maybe I could get a temporary apartment in Derry so I don’t have to leave after next semester.”

The idea alone seemed to exhaust him. Richie could see all the options weighing him down as his head fell into his hand.

“Let’s not think about that now,” Richie butted in. “Eddie just needs some time to relax before he has to think about the hard stuff.”

“Yeah, good point, Richie,” Bill agreed. “Thank you. For taking care of him.”

The tips of Richie’s ears burned. “It’s the least I could do.”

Both of them knew that was far from the truth.

“Well guys, stay safe on the road. Keep me updated.”

“Will do. Bye, Bill.”

Eddie quit the call and sighed again, dragging his hands across his face.

“Jesus.”

“Hey,” Richie took a hand off the wheel and rubbed Eddie’s shoulder. “I know all of this sucks major monkey ass. But, you’ve got a month with your favorite radio host to make you forget it all.”

Richie was just shooting the shit for the sake of being a distraction from the heavy ass stuff Eddie would eventually have to deal with. He didn’t know if Eddie would even stand him that long. They could end up hating each other, for all that he knew. The radio studio was one thing; they were always able to leave at the end of the night.

Despite everything, Richie still didn't think that highly of himself.

But it was pretty easy to pretend.

With Eddie around, he could almost believe it.

They pulled into the motel that sat in some small Pennsylvanian town around ten, finishing their first half of the drive. Richie was absolutely exhausted, and took a second to rapidly blink and stretch his legs. Eddie offered to drive when they stopped for gas a while back, but Richie insisted on finishing the drive. The Midwest was not New England. Driving around there took more of a defensive approach.

Which was code for: everyone is an idiot and Richie would rather let himself get hurt over Eddie.

Eddie dug through one of his bags for a couple changes of clothes. One for sleeping and one for the road. Richie had his ready to go and planned on beelining for the shower at first chance.

The two made their way to the check in area at the front of the building. That was the nice thing about motels, they were pretty flexible when it came to checking in and out.

"Welcome in. How can I help you?" the motel concierge asked.

"We were looking for an overnight room," said Richie, pulling out his wallet. "We plan on leaving first thing in the morning."

"I.D?"

Richie pulled his I.D and debit card out at the same time as the concierge looked through the computer for an available room.

"The only ones we have available are singles. Is that okay?" she asked after checking his I.D, not phased at having to ask two adult men that question.

Richie looked over at Eddie, who didn't seem phased either.

"Uh, yeah that's fine. Whatever you have."

She smiled politely. "Wonderful. That's sixty-three dollars after tax."

He handed over his card and she processed the payment. She printed out a receipt and asked him to sign it, which he did.

She pulled open a drawer and handed them an envelope that contained their key cards.

"Room fifteen. Make a right out the door."

"Thank you," said Richie. They turned and left, following the directions she gave them.

It wasn't that far down the line of identical doors. Richie slid the key card into the slot and the door unlocked. They made their way inside, with Eddie trailing behind him again as he unceremoniously dropped his things as he made his way to the bathroom.

"Shower," Richie monotonously explained, giving Eddie a glance over his shoulder.

"Ah." Duh. It wasn't like there were that many reasons to be in there.

Richie paused his stride. "Do you need to get in here first?"

Eddie shook his head. "Go ahead Richie."

The taller boy took a second to watch as Eddie’s eyes traveled over the room before going inside the bathroom. Not too long after the water was turned on did Eddie make his way over to the single queen-sized bed. The urge to do his usual bed bug check wasn’t even there.

He just sat, smoothing the cover down on either side of him. It was soft, but slightly firm. The mattress was on the more pliable side; as Eddie sat it sunk under him the way softer mattresses did.

The idea of sharing a bed didn’t bother Eddie the way Richie probably expected. After the Thanksgiving incident, where they both squeezed onto Eddie’s twin sized mattress, he was more comfortable with the idea, so long as no vomit was involved.

After all, it was just a bed.

And maybe, Eddie was selfish enough to allow himself to get that close to Richie again.

Just maybe.

Eddie planned to shower in the morning, so he changed into his sleeping clothes while Richie finished up in the bathroom. He sat up on the bed, with the pillows against the small of his back and his head naturally on the headboard. There was a TV, so he flipped through the channels, not really thinking of watching anything, but passing the time with action.

The bathroom door finally swung open, pouring out steam. Richie stepped out, holding his glasses with his hands and blinking the water out of his eyes from his hair. Eddie stopped his channel surfing to fixate on Richie, namely his now bare face.

It was like a sculpture. All the planes and angles that made up his face were smooth and sharp, as if someone made him out of love. His nose, no longer holding glasses, was prominent and reminded him of Roman royalty. All this was framed by dark, damp ringlets that added to the appearance of regalness.

Richie had no idea how beautiful he was.

Eddie swallowed. “Feeling better, Trashmouth?”

“Absolutely.” Richie was dressed comfortably in a dark t-shirt and plaid pajama pants. “Were you watching something?”

Eddie broke his gaze and turned back to the TV that was playing a random program. The sound wasn’t even on.

“No, I was just looking.”

“You can watch something if you want, but I’m beat,” Richie emphasized. He walked over to the bed and sat on the opposite edge, placing his glasses carefully on the bedside table.

Eddie moved over the edge of his own side and swung his legs over until his feet hit the ground. “I’m gonna brush my teeth. You work on sleeping, and I’ll turn everything off.”

Work on sleeping? Shut up you idiot.

“You don’t have to tell me twice.”

Richie stood from the bed and pulled the cover up and over so he could get under it, meanwhile Eddie grabbed his toothbrush and went to the bathroom.

Richie made himself comfortable, using both sets of covers. There was a thinner blanket under the top cover that added an extra layer of warmth. He turned his body so that he faced the door side of the room. He would move once Eddie was in bed, if he didn’t fall asleep.

Eddie worked on turning off the bathroom light, the TV, and the one lamp that illuminated the room. Moonlight peeked through the curtains. It was more than welcome, as opposed to complete darkness.

He made his way around the bed to the unoccupied side. Richie already seemed to be asleep. He crawled under the covers, snuggling his face against the pillow.

But Richie wasn’t asleep. He was making his own selfish decision to look at Eddie as he got comfortable. Not in a creepy way. He admired the way Eddie’s mouth naturally settled into a smile while he laid down.

Eddie saw that Richie’s eyes had opened as he settled in. “I’m sorry, did I wake you?” he whispered.

“Nah, I wasn’t even close to sleeping yet,” Richie informed him, voice soft.

“Well, what are you waiting for?” Eddie teased, matching his softness.

Richie could feel his brain start to short circuit.

It could be so easy. Faster than a blink of an eye.

Just a simple kiss.

You. I was waiting for you.

“I thought now would be a good time to tell you that I snore,” Richie said, in a more normal level of voice.

Eddie snorted. “Good night, Richard.”

Richie watched Eddie turn away from him.

“Good night Spaghetti.”

They were back out on the road, sooner than expected, but not early enough to beat the sun. The next eight hours would be the easiest, as most of the drive was just crossing the state of Pennsylvania. There weren’t any storms on the weather radar, so it would be a clear and smooth ride. At least, that’s what they both hoped for.

In the midst of yesterday’s trip, Richie forgot to call his parents. He messaged them before his shower to let them know he was safe but failed to mention his accompanying guest.

No better time like the present.

Richie had put his phone in the holder clipped to the vent on the dashboard before they pulled off, for the GPS. They had been driving on a long stretch of highway for almost two hours, and had no exits to get off on for at least another hour, so-

“Hey Google. Call Mom.”

“Calling Mom,” the A.I voice replied. The car filled with the sound of ringing on the line. It didn’t take but a couple rings before Maggie Tozier answered.

“Hello, my child.” Her voice was bright and lovely, despite the humorous monotone she was putting on.

“Hey, Ma. Sorry for not calling last night.”

“Son, did you really think we didn’t anticipate you being too tired to contact us?” she asked. “Though, if you hadn’t called us by this morning, your father would have been in full hysterics.”

Richie chuckled. Eddie smirked as well, amused.

So that’s where Richie got it from.

“Yeah well, he still might be…” he trailed off, glancing over at Eddie.

“Oh no. What’s wrong? Are you stranded?”

“No, no. I’m on the road. I’ve got about six hours.”

Richie took a deep, inaudible breath.

“I’ve also got a passenger.”

“A passenger? What kind of passenger?” Maggie wondered, slipping into a more mom-sounding unease. “It’s not another cat, is it?”

Eddie giggled quietly despite himself. Another cat?

“No, Mother dear, he’s not a cat,” he told her with slight annoyance.

“He? Like a person? Stop beating around the bush, Richie. Just tell me.”

Eddie stared at the dashboard as Richie sighed. His stomach was in knots.

“My friend is with me. Eddie. His name is Eddie.”

“Hello, Mrs. Tozier,” Eddie said, finally joining the conversation.

“Well, hello Eddie. You sound like a nice young man. Are you my son’s boyfriend?”

If they weren’t going seventy miles an hour on the highway, Richie would have braked in panic.

“Nope. No, Mom, Eddie is just my friend. He needed a place to stay for winter break,” Richie told her, too quickly. Eddie’s heart sank at how easy it was for Richie to dismiss the idea.

“And you offered up our house?” she asked, more amused rather than angry. Obviously, it wasn’t going to be a problem, but she had to poke fun at her son a bit in return.

“Can you trust me to explain everything when I get home?” he asked her back.

The phone was quiet for a moment.

“Eddie?”

He snapped his head around at the sound of his name.

“Yes, Mrs. Tozier?”

“You’re more than welcome to stay with us. I just ask that you wash your hands before you eat, and wash your ass before you sleep. Sound like a deal?”

A relieved grin settled on Eddie’s face.

“Absolutely.”

“And you both can tell me what’s going on, if you’re comfortable with that,” she told them, more directed at Eddie.

“Yes ma’am.”

“Good. Now, Richie. Get off the phone. You’re driving.”

She hung up with a cackle before Richie could swear at her.

“God dammit.”

Eddie felt a fondness for a woman he hadn’t even seen yet. Was Richie’s whole family just enigmatic?

“Your mom is a trip, Trashmouth.”

“Gee, thanks.”

But Richie was smiling.

They made it into Ohio in the afternoon, but still had about two hours until they hit Cleveland. Eddie turned through radio stations, but the only ones that they managed to get were playing Christmas music.

Only Christmas music.

“Jesus. Is Ohio, like, Christmas music central?” Eddie asked, frustrated. He gave up on the radio, sitting back in his seat.

“What’s wrong with Christmas music?” Richie was ready to defend Christmas music with his life. It was his favorite part of the holiday.

Eddie rolled his eyes. “Nothing is wrong with it, but it’s hogging up every station.”

“Yeah, but it’s December.”

“That doesn’t mean-” the other boy cut himself off. He was getting loud.

Richie laughed it off. “Look, if you want to listen to normal music, I have an AUX cord. Knock yourself out.” He gestured to the chord in the cupholder.

“Don’t mind if I do.”

It took a minute, but once Eddie was hooked up, Richie switched over to the AUX station. Eddie pulled up Spotify, and was ready to play absolutely anything that wasn’t fucking Christmas music.

“What are you waiting for? Press shuffle on that bad boy.”

Eddie had the sudden realization that Richie could possibly hate all of his music. Being a radio DJ was one thing, with the right direction. But his own personal music…?

Too late now. He had to open his big mouth.

Eddie pressed shuffle and willed something that both of them could enjoy to play.

“Uh. Let’s go to the beach-each. Let’s go get a wave.”

Shit.

Richie’s eyes widened. “Spaghetti! You’re a Barb?!?”

Kill me now.

But Richie was enjoying it.

How Eddie was surprised, he didn’t know.

“You like Nicki Minaj?” he asked, as the song continued. Richie was bobbing his head and mouthing the words.

“Old school Nicki? Absolutely. This was my middle school jam.”

“I'm on the floor, floor. I love to dance.

So give me more, more, 'til I can't stand.

Get on the floor, floor. Like it's your last chance.

If you want more, more. Then here I am.”

“Come on Eddie, you gotta get into it,” Richie told him. Eddie was dissolving into laughter at how serious the other boy looked, while Nicki Minaj was playing.

He wouldn’t want anything less.

“Starships were meant to fly.

Hands up and touch the sky.

Let's do this one last time.

Can't stop (we're higher than a motherfucker).”

Richie danced around as much as he could, mainly using his arms and hands. The whole scene was so goofy, if it had been anyone else, Eddie would have been dying of embarrassment. Instead, he sang along at the top of his lungs.

"Jump in my hoopty, hoopty, hoop, I own that."

"And I ain't paying my rent this month, I owe that," Richie sang along.

"But fuck who you want and fuck who you like-"

"Dancehall life, there's no end in sight!"

"Twinkle, twinkle, little star…"

Richie matched the beat with his hands, hitting the steering wheel on time with the music. The action, plus the elated look he had when he finished on beat made Eddie stop singing and laugh.

"Get on the floor, floor

Like it's your last chance

If you want more, more

Then here I am-"

They practically screamed the chorus together. It was fun and ridiculous and very much them. When the song ended, a different, less dance-y pop song followed. It gave them a second to recover from all their dancing and laughing.

"You know Spaghetti, you still manage to find ways to surprise me," Richie said, a definite compliment.

Eddie couldn't find a witty comeback. Being around Richie, knowing that surprising him was a good thing… It made him happy.

"Thanks, Richie," he managed sheepishly.

They made it into Cleveland in the late afternoon. Eddie gaped at the sight of the city as they passed it by. It was different from the city he had been to in New Hampshire. The buildings were taller and close together, like a mini New York. The winter sun that peeked its way through the clouds bounced off the towering planes of glass and steel, the buildings twinkling like icicles. The city was surrounded by water, a lake called Erie, and the river, which caught fire at least twice, a fun fact Richie brought up as they drove over it.

"Welcome to my city. It's a shithole, but it's my shithole."

Eddie could have argued that it didn't look like a shithole at all, but he only chuckled instead.

They were driving to the west side, to an area called West Park. Richie's parents still lived in his childhood home, which sat at the top of a small street off one of the main roads.

They pulled onto the main road after getting off the exit, and though they drove at normal speed, it felt like they were only inching their way there.

Until Richie turned on his street, and they were in the driveway.

Just like that.

The house looked pretty modest from the outside. It was a white paneled home with a black roof and burgundy shutters that didn't actually shut. Bushes sat on either side of the front door, right under the windows, adorned with snow instead of leaves.

"Ready to enter mi casa?"

Richie turned to Eddie, now able to give him full attention in the parked car. He cut the engine and they sat in a new silence.

"I'm a little nervous," Eddie told him. He would have been lying if he said anything different.

Richie's mouth settled into a sympathetic line. "You don't need to be nervous. My parents aren't going to throw you to the wolves."

"Wait. Does Ohio have wolves?"

That brought laughter out of the taller boy. Eddie was adorable.

This was going to be torture.

"Yeah, but not up here," was all Richie said. Eddie's eyebrows shot up and he glared at Richie, who was still sort of laughing at his expense.

"You suck."

"Come on. Let's go in."

The two boys took the time to grab their things from the car. Once their bags were hoisted onto their shoulders, Richie bounded his long legs up the two steps in front of the door. He didn't even need to pull out his keys; he just opened the door and walked in.

"HELLO FAMILY!" Richie announced. He threw off his shoes into the pile in the small foyer before stepping into the living room. Eddie followed his lead and did the same, keeping close behind him.

There was no one in the living room, but an array of pleasant smells wafted out from the kitchen. 

"Oh man, my mom is baking. Come on, drop your stuff," he told Eddie, who did so without question. Richie pulled him by arm through the living room, adjacent dining room, and finally through the doorway into the kitchen.

“Is that my son I hear?”

Maggie Tozier stood at the stove, lifting cookies from a sheet pan with a spatula and placing them on a plate. Her blonde hair fell in familiar ringlets past her shoulders, and she was dressed comfortably in leggings and a long sleeve shirt.

“Hi Mom,” greeted Richie, grinning in a way Eddie hadn’t seen.

Maggie turned and faced them, crossing her arms. She was shorter than both boys, so she looked up at them with her own radiant smile.

“Well don’t just stand there Richie, come give your birth giver a hug.”

Richie crossed the kitchen and walked straight into his mom’s arms. She hugged him tightly.

“It’s good to see you again.”

"You too." Richie broke their hug. “Oh, Mom, this is my friend, Eddie,” he gestured to the boy who still stood awkwardly in the doorway, like he needed to keep close to an exit for an escape.

“Hi Mrs. Tozier,” he said politely.

Maggie’s piercing blue eyes scanned him. Eddie wanted to shrink from her gaze, but as soon as it started, it stopped. Her face softened, and she opened her arms back up, ushering him to come closer.

“Get in here, Eddie.”

He moved hesitantly at first, not sure why Richie’s mom would want to hug him. But the answer was obvious, once he was wrapped in her arms.

She was a good mom.

“So, are we up for telling your story or do you need some time?” she asked him. Oh, so she was just as direct as her son.

Eddie looked over at Richie, whose smile had disappeared at the mention of Eddie’s “story”.

“Yeah, um. Hey Richie?”

Richie cocked his head. “Yeah?”

“Can I talk to your mom alone?”

“Oh. Oh, y-yeah. I’ll take our stuff up to my room.”

Richie shot Eddie one last sympathetic look before leaving the kitchen. Eddie felt a hand rest on his shoulder.

“Come on honey. Let’s go to the dining room.”

Telling the story wasn’t the hard part.

It was seeing the distraught look in Maggie’s eyes as Eddie described the years of abuse, her eyes welling up with tears. It made Eddie’s stomach drop.

“...so that’s why I just. Can’t. I can’t be there.”

“No. No, and I wouldn’t want you to,” she told him, shaking her head. “You’re staying with us. And if you need to come back for the summer, that’s more than okay.”

The tight knot in Eddie’s chest released.

Maggie Tozier was an angel.

“Th-thank you, Mrs. Tozier,” he choked out, overwhelmed by her kindness.

She reached across the table and grasped Eddie's hand, meeting his eyes.

"Please. Call me Maggie."

Eddie found himself smiling. "Yes ma'am- I mean. Maggie."

Maggie wiped away her tears and ran her hands through her hair to gather her composure.

"Why don't you help me with dinner? Richie's dad will be home soon, and we can eat like a family."

Eat like a family.

The words echoed around Eddie's brain like a racquet ball.

What was that like? Would Richie's dad be as warm and welcoming to Eddie's company?

"Sure. I'd love to help."

Wentworth Tozier came home about an hour later. It was a late day at the dentist's office. Richie was working on setting the table when his dad walked through the front door.

"Hey old man."

Wentworth snapped his head up in the direction of his son's voice.

"Richie! You're home!" he exclaimed. Richie grinned and braced himself for his dad's embrace. "Is your mom making dinner?"

"Yeah, but Dad... I have to introduce you to someone."

Richie was right.

Eddie and Wentworth did have a lot to talk about.

They mainly made medical small talk, but it was enough to break the ice and allowed Maggie to slip in that Eddie would be staying with them for the month. Wentworth had no protests against that. Much to everyone else's relief.

"So Eddie. Are you going to enroll in medical school?"

It was an innocent question, but Eddie found himself having a hard time answering.

"I mean. It's something I want. I'm not sure where I'll be going yet. I still have to get through next semester," he said jokingly, though considering the circumstances, wasn't as funny as it should have been.

"Eddie could get into any school he wanted to," Richie said, a little too casually. Eddie flushed pink, staring down at his salad.

"Oh I believe it," said Wentworth. "You should start looking soon. I can recommend a couple places. We have a huge medical community here. Cleveland Clinic is one of the top hospitals in the world."

"I wouldn't mind coming back out here," he said casually, to Richie's delight. "I definitely need time to think about it."

"Of course. But I'll say. It's a safer option than something out in California."

There was something in Richie's father's voice that seemed like a direct shot at his son, despite him not looking in Richie's direction.

Eddie chuckled awkwardly. "What's out in California?"

Richie dropped his silverware against his plate, the sound cutting through the conversation like scissors.

"Well, apparently-"

"Dad. Not now."

Richie had never sounded so serious before. Eddie wondered what the big deal was.

Wentworth held up his hands. "Alright. Alright. White flag."

Richie seemed satisfied. "Thank you."

Maggie was not a fan of the tension. "So, you boys want to do something for your first night back? We could go out for a movie."

"I'm sorry, Maggie. But I'm so drained," Eddie told her, not afraid of being honest for the first time in a while.

Maggie was more than understanding. "Oh, of course. You guys need time to rest. Richie?'

"Hmm?"

"Do you have extra blankets and things for Eddie?"

"Yeah Mom. We're all set."

Eddie recognized embarrassment when he saw it, and Richie was starting to resent the focus his parents put on him.

"Thanks again for letting me stay. You guys are wonderful."

One of his many talents. Eddie could kiss ass all day.

"Of course Eddie. We'll let you go so you can get a good night's sleep," Went said.

Maggie nodded. "As long as you both are finished."

"I'm okay. Richie?"

Richie's plate was nearly clear, but he lacked any more appetite.

"I'm good. Let's go upstairs. Thanks for dinner, Mom."

"Of course sweetheart."

They left the dining room and headed upstairs to Richie's room. Richie basically had the second floor to himself; with his bedroom, and own personal bathroom. Richie also had a queen sized mattress, which Eddie was starting to recognize as a welcome sight. Those twin sized school mattresses sucked.

"Are you okay?" Eddie couldn't help but ask.

Richie was perplexed by Eddie's sudden question. "Yeah man. I'm fine. Why are you asking?"

Eddie was embarrassed now. "I don't know, it just seemed like…"

"My dad struck a nerve?"

"Yeah."

Richie smirked. "He does that. We don't really agree on everything. He just brought up something I didn't feel like talking about."

The smaller boy felt like there was so much more to that explanation than Richie wanted to say, but he didn't push or prod him.

"I'll tell you eventually," Richie said, seeing the lack of satisfaction on Eddie's face that he wasn't even aware of.

Was he that transparent?

"Alright." Eddie looked down at the bed. "I'm so fucking tired."

"You can have my bed, I can sleep on the floor."

"What? Why would you sleep on the floor?"

Richie swayed back and forth. "I mean. I don't mind sharing, but I figured you would want some space... after all the stuff that's happened."

Richie didn't have a real reason to give up his bed, which made Eddie wonder if sharing a bed made Richie uncomfortable and he just didn't want to say anything.

Eddie frowned. "If you really don't want to share a bed again we should at least set up a rotation. That's only fair."

"You're my guest."

"But it's your bed."

The two of them had a stare off.

"Okay fine. Let's share," Richie huffed, not actually frustrated in the slightest.

"Fine," said Eddie, not at all upset.

"Okay." Richie smirked again.

"Glad we're on the same page," Eddie matched him, putting his hands on his hips.

It was all so ridiculous. They both started laughing at each other.

"The bathroom is that first door we passed. You can go first," Richie told him.

Eddie nodded. He went over to one of his bags that laid on the wooden floor to grab his toothbrush. The frame of his dad's picture stuck out of the side and Eddie ran a finger over the edge.

What he would give to be able to talk to his dad again.

Sleeping next to Richie was getting easier.

If only because he was purely exhausted.

Staying asleep, however...

Eddie found himself staring at Richie while he slept deeply, some time in the middle of the night. It didn't feel real, his escape, the fact that he was in Ohio with his… friend.

So he laid there, memorizing every line and every shadow that fell across Richie's profile. Just in case it wasn't real, and all he would have were falsified memories.

"I'll never forget this," he whispered. His eyes began to feel heavy, and the lull of sleep took over. Eddie kept watching Richie, until his eyes blurred, and his eyelids finally fell.

There was something on Eddie's chest.

A heavy something that pinned him to the bed.

As he pried open his eyes, he was met with the sight of a tabby cat's ass. It flicked its tail down and smacked Eddie between the eyebrows.

"Richie?" he called out, not seeing him anywhere. He craned his neck to try and see over the animal using his body as a bed.

Of course he could move and make the cat leave.

But that felt rude.

Richie peeked in from the hallway, grinning maniacally when he saw Eddie trapped.

"Well. Now you've met Optimus," he said.

"Optimus?"

"Optimus Prime Tozier. We call her Optimus for short."

Eddie recalled Maggie mentioning a cat. She must have hid during all the commotion. He didn't even question why she was named after the leader of the Transformers. Autobots. Whatever.

He stared down her back, trying to focus on her head. "Nice to meet you, Optimus."

That made Richie giggle.

"Optimus. Down," he ordered, pointing at the ground. The cat slowly stood, stretching out first before bounding off Eddie's body and leaping onto the floor.

Eddie pushed himself up. "Thank you."

"You could have just moved."

"I didn't want to disturb her."

Richie shook his head. "You're nuts. Come on. My mom made breakfast."

The two boys sat at the dining room table, surrounded by food. Maggie had made them French toast, scrambled eggs, sausages, and there was a bowl of mixed fruit set out as well. Everything smelled heavenly, but Eddie hadn't moved to take any of it.

Richie observed him curiously.

"Are you waiting for an invitation, Spaghetti?" he asked him. He had already loaded up his plate.

Eddie blinked, falling out of the daze he was in. "No, no. Sorry. I'm just-"

"Processing?"

He scoffed, embarrassed. "Yeah. That."

"Do I need to feed you again? I can't promise the food will end up in your mouth," Richie threatened, pointing at him with his fork.

"I will fucking bite you," he whispered, so Maggie wouldn't hear. Though she probably wouldn't care about idle threats toward her son, foul language was another story.

Richie leaned back and smirked in his foxlike way. "Bet."

Their banter brought Eddie out of his funk. He carefully picked out some of the French toast and sausage and brought them onto his plate, much to Richie's satisfaction. As Eddie ate, Maggie came and stood in the doorway.

"Everything taste okay?" she asked, looking between them.

"Everything is delicious, Mom," Richie told her.

Eddie nodded in agreement, his mouth full.

"Good. Do you have any plans for today?"

Richie and Eddie met eyes. They were barely awake, and hadn't exactly made themselves an itinerary for Eddie's visit.

Eddie swallowed. "No, not yet."

"You should come up with some things to do outside of the house. Just so you don't become stir-crazy," she suggested.

"Wow Mom, we just got here and you're already kicking us out?" Richie complained.

"No no, don't be sarcastic with me, Richard. I'll beat you up."

Of course, Maggie was joking, but the way she held up her spatula almost suggested otherwise.

Eddie unconsciously snorted. It was a reflex at this point, a response to all the ridiculous things Richie said.

And now his mom too, apparently.

A smile quirked up Maggie's lips. "Eddie. Would you like to go shopping with me tomorrow?"

"Uh, sure. What's the occasion?" he asked absentmindedly.

"Did you two both forget about Christmas?"

In fact, they had forgotten.

Considering everything else going on.

"Oh my god. How did I forget about Christmas?" Richie asked himself out loud. He seemed distraught about that fact.

Eddie hadn't given it much thought since he arrived in the Tozier house, because… well, now he was in the Tozier house.

Was he supposed to buy them gifts?

"Sure Maggie, I'll come with you." It would give him the opportunity to at least find Richie a gift. Maybe learn more about his parents.

"Awesome. And then you two should go downtown, to Public Square. They already did the lighting ceremony, but it's beautiful down there." Maggie was throwing out more ideas to get them out of the house.

Richie groaned. "Mooooom, we're not kids. We don't want to see the lights."

"I kinda want to see the lights," Eddie said softly.

Richie whipped his head around to look back at his friend. "Really?"

Eddie was flushed now. "I mean. Yeah."

He didn't offer any more of an explanation. Maggie had a triumphant smile on her face, and she looked at Richie as if to say see?

"Oh. Okay. We can go. Maybe tomorrow night?" he suggested. Eddie nodded.

"See, was that so hard, son?" Maggie asked him facetiously.

Richie stuck out his tongue at her, ever the mature one. She threw her head back and cackled. Eddie focused on the dying steam from his French toast, feeling embarrassment creep up his neck.

"Okay okay, I'll leave you too alone," she said, leaving the dining room to go back to the kitchen.

Eddie didn't break his concentration on his food. He wasn't sure what he was doing here, really. Of course Richie was kind enough to take him in, and he needed a place to stay. But he could have gone anywhere. What was the real reason for the universe to align and allow him to stay with the one person that had his heart in a cage, singing it's sorrowful song, wishing to be free to love?

That was a dramatic visual. Of course Richie didn't have Eddie's heart in a cage. It was in his chest, beating as regular as any other.

"Eddie?"

Maybe not regular. Not when Richie spoke his name.

"Mmmh?"

Eddie didn't look up.

"Are you okay? Like for real. I know you've been through a lot in the past couple days, and like I know it's hard to talk about, but I'm here to listen. Or leave you alone, if you need it," Richie insisted. His voice was dripping in sympathy, in a way that Eddie felt guilty for. Why didn't he just crack a fucking joke?

"Richie… I've talked about it all enough for the rest of the year. I want to be normal. I want to just live my life without having to think about how fucking broken I am." He didn't mean to swear like that, but it slipped out. "The pity- sympathy- whatever. I don't want it anymore. I want a regular Christmas. I want to spend time with my friend and his family. Can we just do that? Please?"

Eddie was begging, but his voice was barely audible. It cracked like baked bread under nimble fingers.

It took all he had for Richie not to leap across the table and pull Eddie into his arms, to hold him against his chest until the two of them experienced personal osmosis, fusing together as one, so Eddie could never be hurt again.

"I'll do whatever you want, Eddie."

And that was enough.

Maggie took Eddie out to one of the malls the next day, after getting groceries for Christmas dinner. She was very accommodating, asking him about his allergies and food preferences. It almost felt like she was his mom, but he knew better to stake that claim on her.

Still, spending time with her was healing in a way he didn't know he needed.

"Don't let people trick you into thinking marriage means you know everything about your partner, Eddie. I've been married to Went for twenty-two years, and I never know what to get that man for Christmas," Maggie lamented, and Eddie found himself nodding.

"I have no idea what to get Richie for Christmas," he admitted. He could give Richie the world and it wouldn't feel like enough.

Maggie stopped in her tracks. Her eyes fell on a bench in front of Hot Topic, and she made her way over to it. Eddie followed her, and they sat together, staring ahead at the brick façade.

"It's hard to buy things for someone you love, isn't it?"

Her words hit him like a dodgeball, leaving him stunned. He refused to look at her, though there was no way he could deny it.

"How long have you known?"

It was a stupid question. He didn't need to ask her, but it fell from his lips easier than anything else he could have said.

"The moment I saw you, I knew you weren't just a friend to my son. Richie doesn't just bring people home, even with a heart as big as his. I thought I would meet Stan, or even Bev first, and that was wishful thinking, because I wanted to meet my son's best friends for years."

"That's all we are. Just friends," he assured her, as if it mattered.

She gave him a small smile, like it was a gift. "Maybe for now. But you don't see what I see."

"I see someone that's holding himself back. If he really feels that way."

The bitterness in his voice wasn't missed. It crept out, like a wet rat out of sewer, feeling just as gross and slimy on his tongue.

"Do you think he has a reason?"

"If I had to guess… he doesn't want to ruin our friendship."

That answer felt wrong even as Eddie said it.

"Not to play devil's advocate, but I think it's a deeper reason," Maggie told him.

Then it boiled down to what Eddie hated about himself.

"He thinks I'm not ready, because I'm broken."

Maggie's mouth turned downward. "You're not broken, Eddie. You're healing. There's a difference."

“Then why does he treat me like shattered glass?” he snapped, not really meaning to, but the words were out like a sharp exhale.

The feeling of Maggie’s hand wrapping around his own startled Eddie, but he didn’t pull away.

“Because he wants to glue you back together.”

“Then why won’t-”

“He sees how important it is for you to fix yourself. He can’t be your glue but he can still hold your pieces. That’s who my son is. That’s how I know he loves you.”

Tears welled in Eddie’s eyes, and as he blinked they spilled onto his cheeks, creating salty streams.

Maggie squeezed his hand gently. “He’s not going to act on anything until he knows that you’re going to accept it for what it is. You’re probably full of doubt, and that’s okay. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t care about you any less. But you seem like the type of person that doesn’t want other people taking on your problems, anyway. And I think that it’s his way of showing that he genuinely respects you, by not trying.”

A chuckle bubbled up in the boy’s throat. “How do you know all of this?” he asked, intimidated but also impressed.

“I’m a psychologist, Eddie. It’s kind of my job,” she told him, grinning. “But please, don’t tell my son that I’ve been psychoanalyzing him. He doesn’t like it.”

Eddie met her wise eyes. “It can be our little secret.”

The two of them returned home, arms ladened with bags. Maggie had Eddie sneak his gifts into her and Wentworth’s room, as a place for them to hide from Richie’s nosy eyes.

Speaking of the taller boy, he didn’t seem to be home; his car had been missing from the driveway when they got back, so Eddie and Maggie put away the groceries by themselves.

“I’m going to wrap the gifts now, unless you want to wrap yours?” she asked, as Eddie sat in the living room. He was slowly becoming comfortable with putting himself in the Tozier family space, though he still had the habit of being alert, like he could somehow still be trespassing in their home.

He shook his head. “I’m okay, Mrs.- Maggie. Unless you want help?” he offered.

“No, but thank you. I’m very anal about my wrapping,” Maggie said, smirking. “At least it’s once a year.”

He chuckled and she left, going back into her room. Eddie found himself trying to watch TV again, flipping through channels absentmindedly. He finally landed on some movie that was about halfway done, but it was one that he had seen before, so it wasn’t like he missed anything. As it played, he pulled out his phone, electing to not pay attention at all. The smaller boy wasn’t going to text Richie; he wasn’t that attached. Or at least, that’s what he told himself. Instead he pulled up his messages with Bev and sent her a quick text.

Me: Hey Bev.

She responded almost instantly, much to Eddie’s unconscious relief.

Bev: hey Eddie. how are you doing? :)

Me: I’m doing okay. Thanks for asking.

Bev: have Richie’s parents warmed up to you yet?

Me: Yeah, actually, they have. Richie’s mom is a saint.

Bev: that’s wonderful Eddie. I’m so happy for you <3

Me: Thank you <3

Just then, the door opened, and Eddie could hear Richie kick off his shoes before walking into the living room, holding his own bags.

“Eddie! Avert your eyes! I’m holding secrets!” Richie exclaimed, waving his free arm frantically.

The smaller boy did what he was told, albeit only after rolling his eyes first. He turned his head as Richie rushed past in front of the TV and ran upstairs, his steps thudding loudly, making Eddie laugh. Once he knew that Richie was gone he turned his attention back to the TV, even though it wasn’t really there in the first place. Eventually, the taller boy came back down, this time with empty hands. He flung himself unceremoniously onto the couch, close enough to Eddie for him to take notice.

“Whatcha watchin’ Spaghetti?” he asked, looking up at the TV.

If he had to be honest, he had no idea. His eyes traveled to the screen, looking for a familiar character, but didn’t find one.

“Just a movie. Where did you go while we were gone?” the smaller boy asked casually.

“Shopping.”

“Yeah? Where at?”

“The mall.”

Eddie tilted his head, looking over at him dubiously. “But we were at the mall earlier.”

Richie chuckled. “You know there’s like… multiple malls here, right? There’s at least four within a reasonable distance.”

“Well, no, I did not know that, obviously.”

“Don’t be so grumpy, Spaghetti,” he told him, shoving him lightly. Eddie’s face scrunched in annoyance and he shoved the taller boy back.

“I’m not grumpy, you peanut.”

“Oh ho, that’s a new one.”

“Beep beep, Richie.”

“Ouch. Your effort to silence me is wounding.”

Eddie found laughter coming to the surface, and his fake annoyance broke like glass.

“How do you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Make it so hard to be mad.”

Richie’s smile faltered. Did Eddie want to be mad at him?

“Did… you want to be mad?” Richie wondered, now meeting Eddie’s gaze.

“No… I mean, not at you, I was just joking. But I think,” he paused, breathing in through his nose and letting it out slowly. “Yeah, I do want to be mad. I am mad.”

“At your mom?”

That wasn’t exactly a lucky guess.

“Yeah. And that creepy fucking doctor. Just… the whole thing is infuriating. Every time I think she’s making progress, it’s just her secretly plotting to make things worse behind my back.”

Eddie leaned back and stared up at the ceiling. The more he thought about what his mom did, the more it felt like he was being swallowed up by hopelessness.

“I’m just… still trying to figure out how to be angry in a healthy way.”

Richie nodded. “Like an outlet.”

“Yeah, exactly.”

“How do you feel about throwing knives?”