Chapter Text
‘Alright, maybe I definitely could have thought this through a little bit more, But I can tell when a man needs his space.’
Richie sat alone in a red convertible that was abandoned in a parking lot, waiting the time out.
He definitely knew leaving Eddie by himself surrounded by brain eating zombies that could attack him if he tried to escape.
Richie hoped Eddie was smarter than that.
‘There’s a lot of ways to get to know a person like.. eating his dead boyfriends brains .. of course is one of the more unorthodox methods but.. .’
Richie’s mind trailed off as more memories from Bill swam through his brain.
——
Eddie and Bill were at a restaurant with Eddie’s father, Frank.
Frank was one of the top people that ran everywhere, he controlled everyone. The safety, work, everything.
Bill looked up at Frank in confusion as Frank poured some fancy wine in his glass.
“Special o-o-occasion sir?” Bill asked softly.
Eddie looked over at Bill with a sad smile, “Mom’s birthday..” he whispered.
Bill stared at him before he let out a silent ‘oh’ .
The three of them raising their glasses and clinking them Together.
“To Sonia”
“To Mom”
They said in a union, Eddie then looked at Bill again, setting his glass on the table. “It’s uh.. it’s my mom’s birth—“
Frank cut him off not sparing a glance towards Eddie but yet glaring towards Bill who was sipping his wine.
“So, Bill, Eddie tells me you write books?” He laughed.
“But you mean to tell me you have never thought about going to work construction with your father? You know that on the wall we need good people.. what will you earn out of writing some childish book?”
Bill glared at Frank suddenly feeling a bit uncomfortable as Eddie side eyed him.
“Uh-..”
“Don’t mind him, Bill. Dad’s idea of saving humanity..is to build a really big concrete box, put everyone in it then wait at the door with guns until we grow old and die. He snapped turning forward to face his father , this time giving him an angry glare.
Bill sat there in silence looking back and forth , eyes darting between Eddie and Frank.
Frank looked down at his wine glass and sighed, “well Eddie without the wall we would be eating brains now instead of rice—“
“Dad..”
The memory then shifted to Bill and Eddie walking towards a huge wall with doors. Richie could only guess it was one part of an entrance.
“This is the only way past the wall.” Eddie murmured pointing towards the giant doors. “Otherwise we get stopped.” Eddie shared a look behind him before grabbing the metal door and pulling it open.
Eddie turned around to face Bill who looked hesitant. Eddie gave him a confused look “come on. It’s not that bad.. come on.”
Bill looked behind him before following Eddie and shutting the door behind him.
They ended up in what looked like an empty construction building walking around.
“I haven’t h-heard from h-him in two days eds..” bill said anxiously
“He’s on construction detail Bill. He’s working. My dad goes weeks without checking in.!”
Bill didn’t say anything as Eddie led him down a ladder and into a cave.
It’s almost like Eddie could feel the worry radiating off of Bill because he stops in front of Him giving him a sad smile “hey.. it’s going to be okay”
Bill nodded and leaned closer to Eddie placing a hand on his cheek and kissing his head.
Then the memory time skipped ahead.
It was Bill and Eddie running up non-working escalators in an abandoned building, leading them through a door and into the outside.
“You know even if the world has gone to shit, it still feels nice to get out of there once in a while.” Eddie laughed.
Bill nodded looking at Eddie “it’s n-nice until you come across someone's organs sp-splattered across the concrete or even worse.. shit. All over the f-fucking ground!” He grimaced with a laugh
Eddie cringed, nose scrunching up “gross gross are you serious? I can expect the organs but come on.. shit? No way someone just.. shit in the bare outdoors while a zombie apocalypse is happening”
“P-people got priorities b-babe”
“Gross..”
But the mood suddenly shifted as they came across a group of zombies. Bill looked at one of the familiar zombies in fact.. all of them looked familiar . He started squinting to get a better look.
But .. one of them looked more familiar than the others.
“Dad?!” He shouted, gaining the zombies' attention.
The zombie turned around and grunted. And just as Bill said, it was his father.
“Bill?” Eddie whispered as Bill walked an inch closer to the zombie group.
Looking deader than ever unable to recognize his own son as he charged towards Bill.
Bill tripped over his feet falling backwards when Eddie cocked his gun and shot the zombie in his head , landing just a few inches from Bill's foot.
Eddie let out a heavy breath as he looked at the other zombies. They were all Frank's construction workers..
They started to charge towards them as Eddie quickly grabbed Bill's arm lifting him up.
“Bill, come on!! Come on!”
——-
Richie groaned, shutting his eyes tightly then re opening them. ‘God.. no wonder he’s so afraid of me..’
Richie walked back to the plane, walking in but not bothering to walk in any farther. He sighed.
‘I just need a different approach..’
He let out a deep breath ‘okay, here we go. Don’t be creepy Richie , don’t be creepy.’
As Richie walked in farther he saw that Eddie had moved to another seat across the one he was last sitting at. He was shivering, no doubt staring at Richie in fear.
Richie's eyes shifted to the knife Eddie was holding and even if that should’ve scared him away he only continued to get closer.
He walked over to Eddie who continued to shiver, stopping in front of him and opening the luggage holder.
“What are you doing?” Eddie said confused , not taking his eyes off of him.
Richie pulled out a blanket from the top and turned to face Eddie. “Please leave me alone..”
Richie of course didn’t listen and placed the blanket on top of Eddie who stared in disbelief.
“Why me..” and Richie couldn’t tell if Eddie was angry or confused. Maybe both?
“Why did you save me?” He insisted on an answer. tears starting to form once more in his eyes.
An answer Eddie wanted. An answer Richie couldn’t even answer himself.
Richie frowned at him “don’t….cry..”
Eddie didn’t look at Richie even if he did continue to stare in sadness. Soon he gave up and walked away to a table, pulling out a dusty record.
He blew on it and placed it on the record player, soon Africa by Toto filled the plane.
Richie’s favorite song , he listened to it all the time and maybe it will make Eddie feel calmer.
Richie walked back to Eddie sitting on the side of the chair across the way from him. He stared at Eddie with no emotion, painting his face. Eddie stared back with tear stained cheeks and a look of mixed emotions.
‘I hear the drums echoing tonight’
“Safe.. keep.. you. Safe” he whispered and stared into Eddie’s chocolate eyes.
‘But she hears only whispers of some quiet conversation, She's coming in, 12:30 flight’
Richie closed his eyes listening to the music around him. Eddie hasn’t said a word but stared even harder with his mouth open.
‘The moonlit wings reflect the stars that guide me towards salvation’
“What are you..” Eddie whispered slowly
‘What am I…’
Richie opened his eyes and looked down not answering him but yet turning to sit normally in his chair before looking at Eddie.
They stared at each other saying nothing. The silence lasted for only a moment before Richie hit a button on the side of his chair and started to lean backwards.
Richie swore he saw a tiny smile forming on Eddie's face. Turning to look at the ceiling.
“I stopped an old man along the way
Hoping to find some old forgotten words or ancient melodies”
And you know.. while looking at the ceiling he felt warm. Something you don’t get to feel anymore when you are dead. But he felt it. And he could’ve swore his heart was pumped 3 times.
‘Eddie. You make me feel alive..’
——
Eddie awoke the next morning rubbing his eyes as the sun peaked in through a window. He slowly turned his head jerking back a little when he saw Richie staring pretty hard at him.
‘Shit. Shit.’ Richie grunted wide eyed and sat more in his seat.
Eddie groaned angrily, pushing the blanket off of him and rubbing his hand through his hair looking at Richie, “I’m hungry.”
Richie stared.
Eddie groaned, turning more to look at richie. “Just let me go!” He hissed loudly.
Richie's eyes grew wider “n-not.. safe!” He stammered, getting a little anxious.
“Not safe?” Eddie repeated “uh-huh not safe” he scoffed.
“Well then you are just going to have to go and get me food” he demanded “because I’m starved”
Eddie sighed once more , dropping the attitude. “Please, I’d be very grateful for some food..”
Richie sat up and nodded eagerly “o-okay..”
Eddie rolled his eyes, mouthing a thank you.
Richie got up holding a finger up at Eddie and walking out.
As soon as he stepped out Eddie jumped across at the window seat to look out. ‘This could be a perfect fucking time to get the hell out of here’ he thought once he saw that no zombies were around.
He took a run for it , running as fast as he could, stopping in his tracks as he saw a group of zombies sniffing out the air.
He ran to hide under a plane as more zombies came out from behind bins.
“Fuck.. fuck fuck shit!!” He whisper shouted to himself.
He felt a hand on his shoulder jumping and turning around before noticing it was Richie .
Richie shook his head disapprovingly. “Dont.. r-run.”
‘Jesus this man.’
Richie dragged some more of his blood against Eddie’s face, ignoring his face of disgust, sniffing him out and once Richie noticed he couldn’t smell Eddie’s human flesh anymore , Eddie would be safe.
“Come.. safe..” He said standing up and grabbing Eddie’s hand pulling him up. “Thank you..”
Richie honestly felt warm at that. The first genuine thank you he's gotten!
As more zombies approached Eddie stepped back and gasped. Richie stared at him, having one idea that should work.
“Be dead…” and when he noticed Eddie’s face of confusion he lifted his arms in the air and groaned, walking like the zombie he was.
Eddie eagerly nodded, copying Richie’s movements but a little more excessive.. Richie could laugh, stopping to turn to Eddie with an amused smile.
“That’s too m-much..”
Eddie looked embarrassed almost as he dropped his arms and just copied Richie’s walking movements walking through the crowd.
When they were out of the group of zombies Richie rolled his dead eyes giving Eddie a side eye.
“Told you not s-safe.”
Eddie groaned, crossing his arms “yeah I get that.”
He sighed “I really am hungry though..”
—-
“Fuckk yes!!” Eddie shouted as he held up a can of pineapples immediately digging in. “Godd yes!.. mm”
Richie just stared at him and when Eddie noticed this his face turned to an amused grin.
Richie’s eyes widened “oh, no. Stop staring. You’re actually weird again..” he turned around leaving Eddie to eat by himself walking over to a fridge.
He pulled out a corona and handed it to Eddie.
He grinned and took the bottle “thank you” he smiled.
“Oh. My . Godd.” He said as he smashed the bottle cap off with his palm and drank it , making eye contact with a wide eyed Richie.
“Oh man..” he smiled “I can’t remember the last time I had a beer!” He fawned
He started re eating his pineapples and laughed “I guess you can’t be all that bad , Mr zombie..” he said while taking a giant bite.
“M-My name..” Richie stammered
Eddie looked hopeful and surprised for a moment “You have a name??”
Richie nodded eagerly with a smile
“What is your name?” Eddie asked with a head tilt
“Rrrrrrr….” ‘God dammit what the fuck.’ Couldn't even pronounce his name or.. what was his name again?
Richie honestly forgot, all he could remember was thay it started with an R.
“Rrrr?”
‘This date is not going well, I want to die all over again.’
Date.
“Rrrrr..” he grunted
“Does your name start with R?”
Richie nodded fast.
“Man.. uhm Robert, Ralph??”
Richie’s mouth curved into a thin line as he leaned back and shook his head.
Eddie listened to many names and he just couldn’t remember his name..
“How about I just call you R. That’s a start right?” Eddie asked hopefully as Richie nodded to confirm.
Suddenly Eddie’s face got serious. “I want to go home R.”
Richie was taken aback then instantly started shaking his head. “It’s n-not safe.”
Eddie looked down at his hands, “I get that, and look I know you saved my life and I am grateful for that. But you walked me into this place. So I know you can walk me out again.” Eddie said with a determined look on his face.
‘No no.. he can’t leave! He just got here! Tell him he has to wait. Tell him they’ll notice. Fuck.’
“H-have to wait, they'll notice.”
Eddie looked disappointed “how long..” he whispered.
“F-few d-days..” tilting his head to look at Eddie more clearly. “They’ll forget..”
Eddie looked at him, a small smile forming on his face even after hearing news he didn’t really want to hear.
“You’ll be—be o-okay..”
Eddie stared at him for a few seconds “are there others like you? I mean . I’ve.. never heard a corpse talk before.. I mean apart from the groaning but I ..”
“I—I may just be.. w-weird eds.”
Eddie's face dropped. “Don’t call me that R , yes you definitely are a weirdo” he scrunched his nose up before laughing.
“But you’re—“ Richie stopped himself . As he was about to say ‘but your boyfriend calls you that? Why can’t I?’
And man if Richie could really understand how he feels I think jealousy would be a huge feeling right now.
Eddie looked at him confused before rolling his eyes. “Okay. A few days huh?” He looked around, “what am I supposed to do around here for a few days?”
——
“This is awesome!!”
Richie had brought out the red car from the parking lot and let Eddie drive it.
They decided to take it around on the plane’s landing . Richie enjoyed watching Eddie smile and laugh.
He looked over at Eddie who had his hands up in the air as he looked at Richie . “Wanna try?”
Richie eagerly nodded his head.
Stop. Go. Stop. Go. Yeah Richie sucks at driving.
“Oh god!” Eddie groaned as he was shoved forward from the force of the car's sudden stopping.
“Oh uh your left foot. Pick a foot” he laughed pointing at Richie's face. “You’re using two feet.. pick one foot.”
“There you go!!”
But he got the hang of it. Eddie staring at him laughing and smiling was something that kept him going. Driving fast with one hand , Richie never felt so.. alive.
“All right. Two hands on the wheel buddy.”
As the two reached the parking lot .. with Richie driving he slammed into a park car sending both of them forward.
“Jesus R!! This was a beautiful car!” He scoffed, running his hand through his hair.
‘He has nice hair.’
Eddie laughed “That was honestly so fun..”
Eddie trailed off as he looked at Richie. Smiling.
“I guess the next few days won’t be so hard.”