Chapter Text
“You’re joking, Wheeler. Richie would tell me these things! I know he would.” Eddie frowned as they sat in the bedroom. Eddie was confused, upset even. Richie and him should be close, really close. What did Will have that he didn’t? And Will can’t understand Richie, he never faced IT! Eddie felt himself clenching his hands into fists from that though.
Mike shrugged and leaned against the wall. He stared at the painting. El “commissioned it.” But Mike wish she didn’t. El- Jane. Jane said that Will made a painting for a girl. He wished that Will made one personally for him. Mike then noticed Eddie staring at him with an angry look. “I don’t know, Eddie! They were acting totally in love! Why did I even tell you this?”
Eddie took a puff of his inhaler and coughed. He frowned and held his throat. Was he sick? He should ask Richie for help later, maybe. Eddie checked his watch and heard Richie laughing outside. “Byers! You’re hilarious!” He laughed, Will blushing. Eddie and Mike both stared out the window.
“Piece of shit!” Mike yelled and then saw Will look up. Mike covered his mouth and smiled sheepishly. Will’s green eyes softened and he gave an awkward wave. Richie adjusted his glasses and gave a grin to Eddie.
“Didn’t know you and Kaspbrak were a thing!” Richie yelled from below. Eddie scowled. He wouldn’t want to date anyone! Germs and bacteria get transferred from something as simple as holding hands! Why would he risk it? Unless Richie and him were.., talking and stuff. And the sewers for Pennywise, but that wasn’t tolerable either.
Eddie just sat down in the bed. Now, he was thinking about him and Mike. Not romantically. But the fact Richie said two guys could be together. Could Eddie and Richie? No. No. Richie liked Will now. Will was soft and kind and everything Eddie wasn’t. Eddie thought matching wits was enough, but it wasn’t. Eddie didn’t even realize Mike was staring at him. “Earth to Eddie? Gosh I haven’t said that since…” Mike paused and shook his head, “hello???”
“Beep-beep.” Eddie said out of instinct, then cursed himself internally. “Sorry, inside joke.” Eddie looked down.
“Cool.” Mike said, shifting his weight.
“Cool.”
The two stood there awkwardly. It was unlike how they were with their best friends. And of course, they didn’t get how to strike a conversation. Mike was talkative, but he didn’t want to discuss DnD with another person named Eddie. He also didn’t like socializing with new people. Eddie, on the other hand, was too busy rethinking his friendships. Until Richie and Will waltzed in. “Good morrow, dear friends!” Richie yelled in a terrible British accent. Eddie snickered and so did Will. Mike felt a bit jealous.
“it’s not even morning anymore, trash mouth.” Eddie teased, and Richie laughed, leaning against his arm.
“Well I couldn’t notice while fucking your mom in the sheets-“ Richie blurted out.
“Rich…” Will said softly, holding onto his arm, “not so loud.” Richie looked down and leaned against the touch, pink on his cheeks. Eddie felt his heart drop into his stomach. What the fuck? How could they have worked! Eddie looked at Mike, who seemed to have a scowl on his face. He couldn’t hide his disgust and jealousy, and Eddie wondered if that’s what he looked like right now.
“What is going on? Will- why are you talking with him?” Mike demanded, crossing his arms with a little huff. His face a bit pouty. Richie stepped back and next to Eddie. Close enough where their hands would touch but never hold.
“Me and Richie are friends Mike! Do you want me to ignore him for this whole trip?” Will said at equal volume. Mike flinched like a puppy. They rarely yelled or fought, but when they did, Will seemed to always manage to have the final blow.
“Rich? Can we-“ Eddie began
Richie nodded and grabbed Eddie’s hand. Eddie’s face flushed as he was dragged out of the room. Richie put them both in the kitchen as they both drank some water. “Eds, I know what you’re thinking! But yes- I’m.. uhm.. gay. But you know we gotta be friends cause of that blood oath so—“
“I don’t care about that, ‘Chie! I’m upset you didn’t talk to me about that fucking.. boyfriend of yours!” Eddie yelled, but his voice got quieter. Richie flinched and reached his hand out, holding it close.
“I just didn’t have the time. And we only made it official today! So- it doesn’t count. I promise, Eds, I won’t do that again. Trash mouth honor!” Richie said and put his hand into a salute. Eddie’s lip quivered as he fidgeted.
“That’s not speaking much.” Eddie laughed. Richie opened his mouth in shock and then tackled Eddie onto the kitchen floor. “Ew! There’s germs! Ack! Richie!”
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“Will- I didn’t mean that. You know it. I just don’t like how close you are.” Mike whispered weakly. His heart felt like it hurt while seeing Will look away from him. He hated how his eyes fell down to look all over his body. He hated when Will didn’t pay attention.
“Then what did it mean, Mike?” Will yelled, which made Mike freeze. How could he begin to describe the pain in his heart. The jealousy? That whenever Richie made a joke, Will started laughing aggressively. Or whenever Richie entered, Will felt his face soften. It wasn’t fair.
“I just wanted it to be us! You know.. Mike and Will again. Were best friends, you know… I don’t want to be replaced by Richie!” Mike pouted.
“What about Jane, your girlfriend?” Will questioned and raised an eyebrow. Mike felt his heart drop. His shoulders flinched at the mention of Jane.
> “She’s not my girlfriend anymore. And that’s besides the point. It’s always been us from the beginning! Why can’t it be us now?” Mike whined and held Will’s hand, seeing Will’s cheeks turn pink.
“I’ll think about it, Mike. I will.” Will mumbled and didn’t dare let go of his soft hands. He looked at Mike’s eyes, which were staring at his lips. At first, Will thought that was totally normal. But after hearing Richie say Mike probably liked him back, then.. maybe it was true. Unfortunately, they heard a thud in the kitchen.
Eddie squirmed in Richie’s hands, laughing loudly. “S-stop! My inhaler! My inhaler!” Eddie screamed between cackles. Richie was tickling Eddie with a maniac grin and then looked up to see Mike and Will. He innocently stopped, with Eddie gasping for air. Richie rolled his eyes and grabbed the inhaler from the countertop.
“What are you doing?” Mike asked, noting the forgotten water on the counter. Eddie’s cheeks dusted pink but Richie shrugged it off.
“Me and Eds,” Richie began, knowing Eddie would complain about the nickname, “were just hanging out like civilized people! Meanwhile you two were arguing like a married couple!” Mike felt his ears go pink.
“Why you-“ Mike tackled Richie onto the ground as they fought. Eddie muttered about germs and went to the bathroom. He washed his hands and arms. And washed his face. He used a new towel from the rack to wash it carefully.
“Can’t get diseases while traveling! That will be disgusting...” Eddie grumbled. As he stepped out of the room, he saw Will staring at him awkwardly. Eddie raised an eyebrow. “Why are you staring?”
“Richie told me about you.. uhm- I just- was curious.” Will said softly, smiling. Eddie frowned, a hole in his heart. No wonder Richie liked Will. He was soft and kind, apologizing even when he didn’t need to. Eddie would’ve dated him if he wasn’t in love with a certain someone.
Eddie waved his hand as they walked to the dining room. They ate some leftovers, Mike glaring at Richie as Richi sat next to Will. Eddie was next to Mike, feeling the negative energy. “Uhm.. how about you both meet our party?” Will asked, smiling.
Mike was about to protest before Richie interjected, “of course, William! I’m totally down.” Richie gave Will a grin, and Will tucked hair behind his ear. Mike groaned and nodded, with Eddie just shrugging. Richie tapped his fingers against the table as they finished up. “Let me get that for you.” He said to Will as they were washing the dishes.
Eddie looked at Mike, who seemed to have been scowling like he just tasted a lemon. Eddie smiled a bit before realizing Richie probably reciprocated feelings. That made Eddie huff and dry dishes faster. “What’s this ‘party’ like?” Eddie said, distracting himself.
“It’s for Dungeons and Dragons, DnD, but basically our group of friends since not all of us like it.” Mike muttered.
“Nerd alert.” Richie cackled and then got hit in the shoulder by Will. Richie laughed and hit his chest playfully. Eddie sighed.
“And we’re meeting up at the arcade?” Eddie confirmed.
“Yes,” Will replied, “make sure to bring quarters. And sleep well, they’re kinda chaotic.”
“Already used to that when I had your mom under the sheets-“ Richie yelled.
“Beep-beep Richie.” Eddie said on instinct. Richie smiled sheepishly and leaned against Eddie.
“I know I know! It’s hard to have William’s mother on rebound instead of good ol’ Mrs. K!” Richie insisted, blowing kisses into the air. Eddie rolled his eyes and smiled a little. Maybe it won't be so bad tomorrow. As long as Richie steered away from Will. Hey, worst case scenario, maybe he could date Mike.