Chapter Text
I am not my own
For I have been made new
Please don't let me go
I desperately need you
(meteor shower- owl city)
Bev rolled over on the grass next to Richie, “So Richie dearest… what’s the birthday surprise you’re planning for your pint sized lover?” she took a drag from the joint Richie had passed to her moments ago.
Richie smirked, staring up at the metal bleachers above them, and then down at his watch, “My darling Beverly, considering it’s currently 2:45, you’ll find out in about a minute.”
“Richard Tozier!” a shrill voice reached their ears from across the football field. Richie froze comically, joint halfway to his mouth. His eyes shifted to Bev who was fighting back giggling at the sight before them. Eddie was storming across the field toward the bleachers, covered in glitter and streamers. Richie peeked through the slats and grinned.
“Beverly Marsh I am a certified genius. This has got to be the cutest fucking thing I’ve ever fucking seen. “ he grinned, taking his last hit before coming out from under the bleachers. “Eddie Spaghetti! You found your surprise!” he grinned at the adorable 5’5 buddle of anxiety that currently looked like it wanted nothing more than to deck him across the face.
“What the fuck Richie?! Why did you put all of this shit in my locker?” Eddie shoved him, shaking glitter from his hair.
Richie put a hand on Eddie’s shoulder. “Eddie! What’s today?”
“uhh...Friday?” Eddie squirmed, attempting to pull himself free from Richie’s grip on his arm.
“And the day after that?
“Saturday...Richie what are you getting at?” Eddie huffed and tried to hit him again.
“Eddie what’s the date on Saturday?"
“November 24th what does that have to do with...oh my god.”
Richie grinned and slung an arm over Eddie’s shoulder, “Now do you get what it’s for?” he ruffled the shorter boy’s hair, sprinkling more glitter on the ground.
“For my birthday you decided to glitter bomb me? That was the birthday present you’ve been going on and on about being, and I quote, ‘the best, most unbelievably fucking sentimental’ present I was going to get?” Eddie was still attempting to wriggle free from Richie’s grip as the taller boy planted a wet kiss on his cheek.
“Oh my sweet Eds. Love of my life, fire of my loins,” he dodged an elbow from Eddie, “Your birthday weekend is just getting started.”
Later that evening, the Losers Club settled on the floor of Bill’s living room, surrounded by blankets and pillows. Bill was leaning against the couch, Stan’s head resting in his lap, Ben and Beverly were curled on the loveseat under a blanket, Mike was sprawled out on the couch, and Eddie and Richie were laying on the floor. Richie was flat on his back, watching the movie upside down, while Eddie lay on top of him, chin resting on his chest, happily watching the movie he had rented for his birthday weekend movie night.
“Richie, you c-can’t p-possibly be comfortable in that p-position.” Bill laughed as he looked over at Richie and Eddie.
“On the contrary dear Billiam.” Richie grinned as Eddie rolled his eyes, “If my sweet Eddie Spaghetti is comfortable, then I am too.”
Eddie laughed, “Richie, you’re gonna hurt your neck. Are you sure you don’t want me to get up?” He laughed harder as Richie’s arms tightened their hold around his small waist. He dropped his head onto Richie’s chest, half listening to the movie, half listening to the pounding of Richie’s heart. It was racing. Eddie’s brow furrowed. Richie seemed completely relaxed so why on earth was his heart beating like he was running a marathon?
“You ok Rich?”
Richie shifted so he was sitting up on his elbows, looking down at Eddie, “Yeah Eds. Why? Does my ticker sound off?” he teased.
“Shut up dumbass I was just asking because you’ve been quiet for longer than thirty seconds. And don’t call me Eds!” he grumbled a little before laying back down, continuing to listen to Richie’s racing heart. Richie ran a hand through the smaller boy’s short hair ignoring the knowing looks from their friends.
Sooner or later, the Losers Club drifted off to sleep, all except for Richie. He looked at the digital clock on the tv box. It was a little after three. Richie sighed softly, trying not to disturb Eddie, who was still asleep on his chest. He smiled to himself as he watched him for a moment. The way the light from the still glowing tv hit his hair, how his nose twitched a little as he sighed in his sleep, the way he looked so relaxed, even peaceful. Richie wondered what he was dreaming about. He hoped it was him.
He didn’t know what was happening between him and Eddie recently. Eddie who was still so much shorter and cautious than the rest of the group. Eddie who’s mother still didn’t suspect that Richie climbed the tree outside Eddie’s window almost every night and spend the darkest hours whispering secrets with him under the covers. Eddie who he’s been in love with since they were 13. At 18, Richie felt like his chances to tell Eddie how he felt were slipping farther and farther away. Eddie was practically a shoe in for Harvard. He was going to go off and become a doctor and change the entire world. Richie wasn’t sure if he was ever even going to make it out of Derry let alone some big fancy college (although Seattle was definitly up there with their music program...and they had a pretty amazing pre-med program…the little voice in his head hissed softly). Unwilling, his mind wandered to what was going to happen with his friendship (Relationship? His brain taunted) with Eddie.
Things seemed to be changing between him and Eddie. Richie wasn’t sure if it was because Eddie knew about how he felt, although he couldn’t see how unless Bev had told, and Bev wasn’t the kind of person to tell Eddie without Richie saying she could. Things still felt different though. Little things that Richie couldn’t name but still set off butterflies in his stomach. More and more Eddie had been staring at him. Or maybe Richie noticed more. It seemed like every time he looked up, he was looking into those soft brown eyes. Doe eyes, Richie thought to himself, smiling softly again. And then things like tonight at movie night. Somehow, every movie night Eddie and Richie ended up curled together. At first Richie had thought it was accidental or random. But Eddie seemed to get bolder and more affectionate. Tonight, Eddie seemed comfortable, even happy, to flop on to him and even fall asleep in his arms. He looked around the room at his still sleeping friends. Stan and Billy, curled up on the floor in-front of the couch, noses touching like they had fallen asleep mid-kiss. Ben and Bev spooning on the loveseat, fingers tangled carelessly together. Mike face down on the couch, snoring softly, completely at peace with himself.
“Hey Richie?”
Richie jumped at the sound of his voice being whispered, snapping him out of his thoughts. Eddie had woken up, and was looking up at him. He looked sleepy, his eyes only half open, hair fluffy and sticking up at a weird angle. Richie wanted to scream, he looked so adorable.
“Yeah Eds?” He whispered, propping himself up with his elbows again.
“Why are you awake?
“Couldn’t sleep I guess. Why are you awake?”
“You’re thinking too loud. I can practically hear your brain wiring.” Eddie tried to gave him a grumpy look, but it’s very hard not to look adorable when you’re grumpy and sleepy. Richie almost squealed again because oh my god this boy was so fucking adorable.
“Sorry Eds. I’ll try to keep it down.” he smirked and then shifted a little, “Hey uh...Eds?”
“Yeah?”
“Can you get up for a sec? I drank that entire bottle of Dr. Peper during the movie and I really gotta drain the lizard.”
Eddie scrunched up his nose, rolling off a Richie, “Gross Tozier.”
“What, you’ve heard that phrase before?”
“Yeah I have. From assholes.”
“But I’m YOUR asshole Spaghetti-O.”
“Just go pee dumbass.”
Richie grinned and got up, “Don’t miss me too much sweetheart.”
“I won’t dickhead.”
“You wound me.”
“My heart weeps,” Eddie said, rolling his eyes. Then he smiled, “go before you pee yourself like at Mike’s birthday party.
“Hey in my defense it was a very large sheep that charged at me.”
“Richie!” Richie grinned and headed down the hall.
He was just washing his hands when he heard footsteps. Standing outside the door was Eddie, trembling slightly. Richie frowned and gently wrapped his arms around him. “Hey...Eddie you’re shaking. What’s the matter?”
Eddie shook his head, “It’s so fucking stupid. I shouldn’t…”
“Hey. If it tweaked you this much it isn’t stupid. What happened?”
Eddied sighed, clearly embarrassed and frustrated, “I heard a noise.”
“A noise.”
“Yeah. A noise Richie. And I got scared because I’m a fucking pussy and I didn’t want to wake up the others.” he looked down at the ground, face bright red.
Richie smoothed his hair gently from his forehead, “You’re not a pussy Eds. You’re one of the bravest people I know. And with some of the fucking shit we’ve seen...I’m still scared of the noises too.” he pulled Eddie a little tighter into his arms, “Come on. Let’s go back to sleep.”
Richie and Eddie quietly settled back into their little nest on the floor, Eddie once again, laying with his head on Richie’s chest. Richie waited, gently rubbing his back as the other boy’s breathing relaxed and became steady again. As he drifted off he heard Eddie’s voice again.
“Richie?”
“Yeah?”
“Please don’t let go?” his voice was quiet and still a little shaky.
Richie’s eyes closed, a smile on his face, “I won’t.”