Chapter Text
Richie had expected that maybe Eddie would be more surprised about it with time.
That maybe it was just shock or a sense of surrealism that made him handle it so well the first time--his boyfriend was a werewolf, that was sort of a huge deal. But as the next few weeks came and went, Eddie proved to be rather unphased about the whole thing.
In fact, Eddie liked when Richie was a wolf. Richie usually only did it on full moons, but when Eddie had to study or wanted to read, he loved having Richie at his side--said it was like having the dog his mother never let him have.
Richie wasn't sure if he should be offended by that or not, but when he was lazing around at Eddie's side while Eddie distractedly scratched his ears, he didn't really mind it at all.
Not to mention, since his unwilling bath and brushing--his fur didn't hurt anymore. And Eddie was good about upkeep; he brushed Richie once a week, despite Richie's endless whining.
So maybe he didn't mind being fully wolfed out now and then.
They were having one of those particularly relaxing nights when Eddie suddenly stopped scratching Richie, making Richie turn to look at him. "Are you ever gonna tell the others about..." he motioned to Richie vaguely. "This."
Richie just let out something akin to a growl, dramatically rolling over onto his back.
He had wondered that himself for awhile now. Now that Eddie knew, and he took it so well, it made him wonder if he should tell the other Losers--he'd feel more accepted, that's for sure. He already felt so much less like an outsider with just Eddie knowing and treating him like it was no big deal.
But then he also risked the information getting out, or them turning him away.
Again, he just grumbled deep in his chest in response--he didn't know.
Eddie rolled his eyes, sliding his book aside. "Honestly, you're so pathetic sometimes." he said, lightly scratching at Richie's now exposed stomach. Richie involuntarily wagged his tail, making Eddie laugh. "You like that?" he teased, scratching him more, laughing at the way Richie twisted and wagged his tail--his laugh was so bubbly, all the other thoughts that were plaguing Richie were gone in an instant.
He couldn't understand how Eddie put him at such ease.
It was getting late, though, and Eddie knew he needed to head back before his mom noticed he had snuck out in the first place.
Eddie draped a blanket over Richie like he'd done it a million times--because by now, he had. "Alright, turn back."
Richie did just that; the blanket keeping him covered. He wrapped it around himself more comfortably as Eddie pushed up his window, slipping out. Once he had made it out, he turned back and smiled. "I'll see ya at school on Monday."
"Oh please, I'll come sneak in sometime this weekend, I'm not waiting that long." Richie said with a grin, leaning out the window to kiss him goodnight.
"Oh hold on, I got you something." Eddie said, rummaging around in his backpack for a moment before producing a tennis ball toy. He had the most smug grin on his face as he squeezed it and it squeaked.
"Oh, that's real funny." Richie deadpanned, as sarcastically as he possibly could. But he did accept it when Eddie handed it over--gag gift or not, it was still a gift.
"I thought so." Eddie said proudly, kissing him briefly once more. "I'll see ya." he said before rushing off.
Richie shook his head at the dog toy fondly. What a brat.
"I'm never using this!" he called after Eddie.
Richie used it a lot.
It drove his parents absolutely crazy. He'd either go crashing through the house, chasing it and squeaking it as a wolf; or he'd just be sitting around, absently squeezing it in his hand like a stress ball. He didn't realize how often he did it until his dad started calling him out on it every single time.
Richie wasn't even ashamed about it. He just couldn't wait until Eddie came over again so he could drive him mad with it--and wipe that smug little look off his face.
He would've loved to have brought it with him when he did, indeed, sneak into Eddie's room that weekend as promised. But it would've gotten them caught so fast, and something told Richie that Ms. K would kill both Richie and Eddie.
All Richie had done all weekend was visit Eddie and play with that stupid ball, yet somehow, he found some clarity.
He decided what he was going to do about the Losers.
Come Monday, he and Eddie met up and walked together.
"So I've decided what I'm going to do." Richie announced as the school came into view. Seeing it suddenly made him a bit nervous. "About the Losers."
Eddie's face lit up. "Oh, that's great! What did you decide?" he asked sincerely. And somehow Richie knew that Eddie would fully support him, whether he decided to tell them or not. But he'd already made up his mind.
"I think I'll tell them." he said. "They've put up with all my bullshit so far anyway, what's one more thing?"
Eddie laughed, nudging him lightly. "That logic sounds pretty solid to me. Honestly? The wolf thing is not the most annoying thing about you."
Richie grinned. "Shut up, Spaghetti, I didn't ask you." he paused, then glanced at him. "What is the most annoying thing about me?"
"The mom jokes." Eddie said without a missing a beat. This had clearly been decided ahead of time.
Richie stared ahead and nodded. "Yep, I think that sounds about right." he smirked. "Just like--"
"If you say anything about my mom, I'm breaking up with you."
"I'll just stay quiet then."
They had decided it would be best to get them all together and tell them after school.
That way if they had questions, there'd be time to answer them. Or maybe just time to deal with however they reacted. Richie had been much more confident about this beforehand.
Now, they were all sitting around, waiting for the "big news" Richie had promised them.
"Are we going to get on with it?" Stan grumbled. "Or is this just, like, some performance? Cause I'm starving."
"We should go get a m-milkshake!" Bill piped up excitedly.
Oh God, he was already losing their attention--it was like herding cats.
"Alright everyone stop thinking about your stomach for a minute--" Richie announced, managing to regain their attention for a few more minutes. "What I'm going to tell you is going to sound totally crazy, and you can choose to believe or not. But, uh, basically..." he glanced over at Eddie, who just smiled and nodded encouragingly. "... Wellp, fuck it: I'm a werewolf."
Everyone was quiet for a moment.
"A werewolf?" Bev asked for a moment. "Like a giant wolf? Full moons and all?"
Richie just nodded.
Everyone looked around each other for a moment. Richie was starting to think no one was going to say anything when Mike just shrugged. "Actually, I believe it."
Richie blanched. That was not what he was expecting.
"Excuse me, what?"
"Yeah." he shrugged. "It would explain how Eddie's always covered in dog hair when I know damn well his mom would never let him have a pet."
Eddie gasped. "I am not covered in dog hair!" he protested, immediately beginning to fuss with his clothes.
Ben laughed. "It would also make sense as to why Eddie also kinda smells like a dog lately. No offense."
"I am offended!" Eddie shouted.
They ignored him. "Also, you're always gone on full moons, huh?" Bev wondered aloud. "I never thought much of it, but you always cancelled on full moons... Guess that makes sense."
Bill looked around, wide-eyed. "Are you all c-crazy!? Don't t-tell me you actually all believe this!" he turned to Richie, shaking his head. "There's n-no way that's true. Prove it."
"I'm not proving it." Richie said casually. "To prove it, I'd have to strip. And I don't think anyone here wants that." he smirked and winked at Eddie. "Except Eds."
"I don't want that either." Eddie said heartlessly.
"Ouch, Spaghetti." Richie muttered, utterly wounded.
"Yeah, I'm just going to take your word." Stan said, stretching. "Can we go get some food now?"
Everyone started that way--Bill hesitantly following. "We're really o-over this now? Just like t-that?"
Richie grinned and patted Bill's shoulder. "Accept it, Billiard."
"This g-group is so weird..."
Richie definitely felt more at ease now.
He was pretty sure most of them were either just going along with a "joke", or in disbelief--like Bill--but he had technically put it out there. They technically knew; he didn't have to hide it from them.
And maybe he'd hang out with them all next full moon, just in case they were still unsure by then.
But it really was touching. They weren't worried about it, they weren't weirded out, they weren't uncomfortable--Bill was hopelessly trying to get some proof, but even that was an excellent reaction. He definitely wasn't uncomfortable around Richie. Now he just would not give him any damn space or shut up for five seconds.
They were all walking home together when the breeze kicked up a bit.
Eddie pointed out the pollen floating on the air. "See that? My allergies are going to kill me."
"I don't doubt that for one second," Bev said with a laugh.
Richie felt a sneeze coming on. "Nope," he strained. "I'm the one who dies first--" he barely got the sentence out before sneezing hard. He sniffled and shook his head, almost not noticing everyone's shocked stares. "What...?"
"Uh, Rich," Eddie said. "Your ears are out."
Richie reached up, surprised to feel that his wolf ears were indeed out. "Woah," he laughed. "That was a good sneeze."
Everyone was on him in a minute, practically squealing and losing it over Richie's ears--tugging at them like they could somehow be fake. Richie groaned. "You're all killing me..." he muttered, glancing over to where Bill was just staring.
"You w-w-weren't lying?" he asked in shock, looking like he was going to faint. "That's amazing... I can't b-believe it."
Mike laughed. "I'm going to take him home before he passes out." he said, grabbing Bill's shoulders and steering him the other way. Even as he was being walked off, he still stared at Richie the entire way, completely awestruck.
"Well." Bev said, a grin on her face. "He got his proof, I guess."
"Good, now he'll shut up about it." Even as he said it, Richie couldn't help the smile on his face.
Everyone headed home, but of course, when Richie walked Eddie home, they stood outside for a moment.
Richie thought hey, maybe he'd get to kiss his boyfriend goodnight or something, but no. Eddie just wanted to see him do the partial shift again. "You only love me for my wolf stuff," Richie said as dramatically as possible, but he did as Eddie asked anyway.
Eddie looked amazed. "You are so right," he muttered admirably, lightly pulling at Richie's ears. His smile fell after a moment. "Wait, do I really smell like dog?"
Richie groaned. "Oh god, I'm never going to hear the end of this--I don't notice it."
"Ah, the dog doesn't notice the dog smell. Very reassuring."
They laughed, and Richie just shook his head. "Wolf."
"Yeah, yeah," Eddie said smugly, finally kissing him goodnight. He smiled at him--and it was suddenly so warm and genuine, Richie was pretty sure he felt his ears droop as his heart absolutely swelled. "Goodnight, Rich."
"Night, Eds." he said quietly, watching him rush inside.
Richie sighed like something right out of a bad romcom, then made his way stumbling home.