Chapter Text
Richie loved Christmas time. He cherished picking the perfect tree that would be decorated with random ornaments, not one matching because that would be too boring. He would go shopping for hours to find the perfect gifts for every friend and family member. If there was even a single spot in his house not festive enough, he’d change that immediately. Also, the food during the holidays were his lifeblood. Especially all the homemade cookies and sweets people would bring around each day.
Living in Maine, he usually got a nice white Christmas too. Which always meant ice skating, making snowmen, or snow angels. It was the best time of year.
This year, however, took a turn for the worst for a dear friend of his. Eddie Kaspbrak’s mother was keeping her son trapped in their house for the holidays. Richie could tell it was depressing him as their phone calls were getting sadder and more melancholy than ever before. No amount of silly voices or teasing could get his spirits up.
He had no clue how this mess would be fixed, but he had to do something.
Richie went over after Christmas Eve mass, his parents enjoyed going to midnight mass so it was about 2:00 am. He shifted the heavy bag on his back as he trenched through the snow. The air was biting cold, every part of his body freezing. He glanced up at the target window and began throwing rocks at it. It took a couple tosses until Eddie finally opened the window, sticking his head out.
Richie’s heart started pounding, a fast beat that made his stomach flutter as well. This happened more and more whenever Eddie was around. He swore he had just been freezing and miserable, yet now he was warmer and happier than ever.
“Merry Christmas!” Richie yelled up.
“Shhh!” Eddie chastised but the smile on his face gave away any real annoyance. “Merry Christmas, what are you doing here, Rich?”
Richie gestured frantically for Eddie to come down. “Get out here and I’ll tell ya.”
There was slight hesitation which crossed Eddie’s face. One that held his concern about getting caught sneaking out of the house with his best friend, who was most hated by his strict mother. Then Eddie seemed to resolve himself of the consequences, closed the window and met Richie outside 10 minutes later. He was covered in a big snow jacket, boots, thick gloves and a winter hat knitted by their friend, Beverly. Richie wore the gloves she made him this year, despite them not being the warmest, Bev made them so they were perfect.
“So where are we going?” Eddie inquired.
“You’ll seeeeeeee.” Richie said with a huge grin. Eddie smiled back reaching his hand up to brush a piece of hair away from his face. The intimate gesture shocked Richie so bad he blurted out, “You look really cute in that hat!”
Eddie’s lip twitched as he said, “I’m not cute. Now, go on, lead the way.”
They walked toward the park bumping into each other lightly, Richie wanted nothing more than to hold Eddie’s hand or hold him or...kiss him.
He shook his head, clearing away those thoughts. Thoughts he could not allow himself to think. They arrived at a big clearing, it was dark with the only real light coming from a bright moon.
“Is this a pond?” Eddie asked, walking toward the edge.
“A small one but yeah!” Richie placed his backpack down and pulled out two pairs of skates.
Eddie’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “Richie, no.”
“Richie, yes!” He pushed the skates into Eddie’s hands.
“It’s not safe!”
“It will be fine! And fun.” Richie plopped down in the snow and began putting his skates on. Eddie huffed but got to work on his own. Richie finished first, he saw Eddie was struggling with his laces so he helped. Their faces were bent close together and Richie looked up, eyes accidentally lingering on Eddie’s lips.
Those lips moved but Richie didn’t hear him at first. His eyes moved to meet Eddie’s annoyed ones. “Sorry, what did you say?”
Eddie rolled his eyes, “Are we going to skate or what?”
“Yeah! Yeah,” Richie stood up and helped Eddie to his feet. They carefully started skating, watching out for weaker parts of the ice. Eddie’s hands did not leave Richie’s, he was out of practice and terrified of falling.
“Don’t fucking let go of me.” Eddie grumbled, yelping when his foot almost slipped underneath him.
“Never.” Richie whispered. They continued, both getting into the groove more. Richie spun them around which made Eddie laugh and squeal. The pace picked up in classic Richie fashion, soon they were zipping around and around the lake with laughs.
They spun one too many times and the dizziness threw them off balance. The two screamed as they flew into the snow and crashed underneath a tree. Their screams turned into laughter as they clutched onto each other and hugged, covered in snow. As the laughter died, their positioning became awkward. Richie pulled away, leaving the warmth behind.
Eddie giggled making Richie glance at him. He was looking up at something. Richie’s eyes followed and widened. Above them was unmistakably mistletoe. The green leaves and berries inexplicably there.
Eddie leaned forward and their lips met. Richie was shocked but responded back with excitement. They pulled each other closer with desperation. Any cold Richie felt dissipated with every second their mouths were connected. He had never been so happy in his whole life.
Eddie pulled back to say, “Merry Christmas, Richie.”
“Merry Christmas, Eds.”