Chapter Text
Eddie Kaspbrak and Richie Tozier were born 5 months apart. They had been born at Derry Medical, both premature, both fussy babies. They both had two loving parents and were the first boys of their family. That’s where the similarities end.
Eddie Kaspbrak was born to two loving parents but ended up only having a hateful, overbearing mother by the time he was in middle school. He was taught to be scared and worried. Filled with pills and told to be a good little puppet.
He had respectable friends. Bill Denbrough. A good boy who took care of his younger brother. Ben Hanscom. Another good boy who liked music and reading. His mother approved.
Eddie Kaspbrak didn’t mind playing his part.
Richie Tozier was born to two loving parents who pressured him to be his best. He agreed to be their A+ student, but rebelled in other ways. In his wacky fashion sense, the smoking, and late nights alone under the stars.
He didn’t have respectable friends. He chose the outcasts. The people he felt comfortable around. Beverly Marsh. She was called a slut and her dad was known to be abusive, but she was also smart and funny and always knew how to make you feel better. Mike Hanlon. He was shunned for his race and for being homeschooled the majority of his life, but he was kind and loyal and would never hurt a fly. Stan Uris. He was a Jew and the rabbi’s son, but he was honest and caring and when he wasn’t bird-watching he was always up to hang out. His parents didn’t approve and Richie didn’t care.
Richie Tozier was not a puppet and he wouldn’t sit there and be silent.
The last difference between Eddie Kaspbrak and Richie Tozier was their thoughts about each other. Richie joked about getting into Eddie’s pants and Eddie hated that and Richie with a burning passion. It was the way that worked best for them, just the way they were.
That’s what it looked like from the outside. Eddie the hypochondriac asthmatic with a fanny pack who was organized and well spoken. Richie the basket case with a leather jacket thrown over a too-bright hawaiian shirt who did stupid voices. Sworn enemies. Couldn’t handle being partnered up in class without it ending with something on fire.
In truth, they were a lot closer. Next door neighbors and once family friends. Before Frank Kaspbrak left Eddie and his mom, he and Wentworth Tozier were the closest. Eddie and Richie never much got along then either, but they do have history nonetheless. A sort of link that they couldn’t severe no matter how much they wanted to. Almost like fate pulling them closer.