Chapter Text
The sky is a mix of purple and pink hues as they drive down the long stretch of land, trees passing by quickly as they moved. Eddie lets out a deep sigh, absorbing his surroundings and feeling the wind tousle his hair and periwinkle sweater.
“What’s wrong?” Richie grumbles from his place right next to Eddie, his voice being muffled by his head currently being buried in Eddie’s shoulder.
“Nothing, it's just pretty out right now.”
“Not as pretty as you,” he could feel Richie smirking into his shoulder.
“Shut the fuck up,” Eddie replies trying to hide his blush. Richie just chuckles in return.
All of the losers were currently on their way to Mike’s farm. They had planned months prior to do something in celebration for the beginning of senior year. They had chosen Mike’s farm, for it had become their official place for any type of celebration. Which made sense, it was pretty far away from everything, they could be as loud as they wanted, and blast the music Richie would queue up on his phone. Mike’s grandfather never bothered them, so that means they could basically do whatever the fuck they wanted. But, the most ‘bad’ thing they ever did was drink in Mike’s barn, and sometimes pass around a blunt that Bev always provided.
So as the day came upon them, just as the sun was about to set Mike had drove through the neighborhoods of Derry in his cherry red pick up truck, picking up each member of The Losers Club and making them pile into the back of the vehicle. With the exception of Ben, who had called shotgun as soon as they organized the meeting. And they took off towards the Hanlon residence.
Eddie looks around at his other friends in the back with him. Over to his right was Bill and Stan who were huddled up in a blanket together whispering to each other quietly. Stan’s face was buried in Bill’s neck, his usually very well-kept blonde curls flying everywhere messing it up a bit. It would sometimes fly into his eyes, which Bill would silently just brush out of the way like it was second nature. In return Stan would press a tiny kiss to his neck, and continue to listen to whatever Bill was saying.
He had been pretty quiet the whole ride, except for a snarky “fuck off” in response to Bev’s teasing them about how ‘sickeningly sweet’ they were being. Bev was sitting on Eddie’s left, her floral maxi dress flowing with the wind and bright red hair matching reminding Eddie of fire. She had an easy smile on her face the majority of the ride, talking absolute shit with Richie.
Who was spouting his normal bullshit and making stupid vulgar jokes in between each sentence. Which made Bev play along and egg him on, Bill laugh heartily making his eyes crinkle. Stan occasionally responding with deadpan remarks, and Eddie to roll his eyes. He never was truly annoyed though, he secretly loved the sound of Richie’s voice though he would rather die than admit that out loud.
His back was up against the back window of the truck, so he could faintly hear Mike and Ben going in between talking and singing whatever song was on the radio. The night was peaceful and Eddie closes his eyes thinking he wouldn’t want to be anywhere but here.
When he opens his eyes they are pulling onto the Hanlon’s property. As the truck comes to a stop he looks around at the familiar setting. The older white farm house looks comforting and charming contrasted to the vibrant sky. And the faded blue barn that they spent too many nights in looks inviting with the lights that they had hung up one day lighting it up.
The hatch to the truck swings down, and Bev immediately jumps down and starts running to the barn. Bill and Stan get out next, Bill of course helping Stan down because he is, well Bill. Eddie faintly hears him ask Stan if he wants his hoodie because he looks cold, being protective as ever, which Stan kindly refuses.
Richie obnoxiously jumps up grabbing Eddie’s hands and taking him up with him making the entire truck shake. Eddie’s eyes widen at this not expecting it.
“Be careful idiot,” he scolds.
“Awe I love your cute little nicknames for me. Now lets go Spaghetti. I have some good weed waiting for me!” Richie replies ecstatically, dragging Eddie off the truck bed.
---
A few hours later things were as chaotic as expected.
Almost as soon as the losers entered the barn the alcohol began to be poured. All seven simultaneously started with a shot of straight vodka in unison to begin the celebration, and it sure didn’t stop there.
Eddie had lost count after his fourth shot, but despite being a usual lightweight he was not as drunk as he thought he would be. Yes, he was currently sitting on the ground with his back against Mike’s legs laughing loudly at everything anybody said. But, where’s the harm in that? Mike was giggling along with him high out of his mind, gently braiding little braids into Eddie’s hair.
One thing about Eddie was that when he was drunk he lost all preservation for any boundaries he usually had. A non-drunk Eddie would certainly not be sitting in the dirt and hay and would squawk at the hair braiding. But, he wasn’t throwing his guts up so he saw that as a good thing.
Ben was significantly less drunk than everyone else, which was typical. Being the absolute sweetheart he was, kept checking on everyone and making sure they were drinking enough water and not being on the verge of blacking out. When he wasn’t doing that he would change the songs that were playing through the speaker in the barn. And of course staring at Beverly like she was a fucking goddess. Which is not not true.
Stan and Bill were currently sucking each others faces off much to Eddie’s dismay. Stan was surprisingly the most drunk out of everyone. Richie had brought a bottle tequila after breaking into his parents liquor cabinet, and everyone knew Stan was a slut for tequila. So, he kept downing shots, even having a fucking contest with Richie, until Bill had to physically drag him away.
If Eddie lost all preservation when he was drunk, then Stan wasn’t even the same person when intoxicated. Stan would get very wild and brave when drunk, and most evidently horny. That’s why he had been practically glued to Bill’s lap the majority of the night, and was currently kissing him like the world depended on it.
Bill had taken a few shots, and been sipping on a beer most the night. He definitely took one too many hits from the blunts everyone but Eddie and Stan had been smoking. He was flushed from all the attention Stan was giving him, but anyone could see he was loving every second of it. He slightly reminded Eddie of a kid in a fucking candy store. But, he could also see the pure love in his eyes when they would break apart for a few seconds.
Eddie had to turn away at that point, feeling as if he was an intruder on a very intimate moment.
As he did this the song blasting from the speaker changes to Age of Consent by New Order, which makes Eddie immediately look over at Richie because he loves this song.
Richie lets out a yell of joy and quickly sets down his blunt grabbing Beverly’s hands and pulling her up with him to dance. Beverly yelps at the sudden movement, and then lets out a happy laugh and begins jumping around with Richie.
Richie is obviously the most high out of all of them, and is also crossfaded as fuck due to the amount of alcohol he has consumed. It is surprising that he is even able to move at this point.
But, he sure is moving, he’s jumping and spinning around to the beat of song. All while terribly shouting/singing the lyrics along with Bev.
I'm not the kind that needs to tell you. Just what you, want me to.
Richie’s smile is gigantic and unyielding, his happiness reaching his eyes. Eddie thinks for a second he stops breathing at how mesmerizing the scene is.
Richie’s unruly long black hair is flopping around with his movement. His lanky body swaying around and moving with the rhythm of the song, and Eddie can’t help but ogle at the black wife beater he has on after shedding off his baggy hoodie a while ago complaining it ‘was so fucking hot.’ The baggy jeans he has on that are secured with a belt and worn down Doc Martens make Eddie swoon for an unknown reason as well.
The only thing Eddie can think is, fuck he is so beautiful.
And he can’t help but remember the first time they met.
---
It was a typical summer night in June before the beginning of junior year, and Eddie was fucked.
He was basically running home, his mom was going to kill him. He had went over to Stan’s house that day, and being a dumbass took nap with his friend. He didn’t think it would be that big of deal seeing this was a normal occurrence for the two friends. But, of course the two over slept.
As soon as Eddie woke up and saw the darkness outside he panicked and basically threw himself off of Stan’s bed. Which made Stan wake up as well disgruntled, but his demeanor quickly changed at seeing the night sky as well.
“Holy shit it’s 11 o’clock I’m sorry Eddie, I can get my mom to call yours tomorrow.”
“Thanks Stan I’ll text you tomorrow if I survive, but now I have to sprint home like I’m in a fucking 100 yard dash,” Eddie responded yanking on his white tennis shoes.
Stan let out a snort at this and began singing “Run Boy Run,” making Eddie flip him off on his way out the door.
When he reached the outside he was met with pouring rain, because of course, the universe hated him.
So, that was why he was running in the pouring rain, clothes sticking to his skin and breathless from the sudden cardio. Eddie only stopped when he saw a figure in the middle of the road.
It would’ve been creepy if the person wasn’t currently spinning around with their arms out inviting the rain to fall on them. Eddie’s curiosity made him move closer to the individual.
When he was standing on the sidewalk across from where the person was in the street. He could see that it was a boy, a very hot boy at that. His hair was messy and wet (and gorgeous). Eddie had a strange desire to run his hands through the curls. His clothes were soaked as well, and Eddie briefly wondered why he was wearing a jean jacket in the middle of summer.
He was dancing to the music playing from the earbuds he was wearing that Eddie could now clearly see. His face was tilted towards the sky eyes closed, his smile genuine and bright making his jawline prominent. Eddie just knows his face is bright red.
‘Fuck he’s beautiful, what do I do?’ Eddie repeats in his mind.
He is completely frozen, unabashedly staring at this boy he had never seen before. What was his life?
Only a few seconds pass before the boy glances his way seeing Eddie, and then doing a double-take. Then he just stares at him, Eddie feels embarrassed under the scrutiny of his eyes. Slowly a sly smile makes its way onto the boys face, and there’s something indistinguishable in his eyes. He rips the earbuds out of his ears.
“Hi. I’m Richie,” the stranger speaks up.
Richie...that’s suiting.
“I’m Eddie,” he replies quietly barely to be heard over the pouring rain.
“Eddie huh? What a cute name to match a cutie like yourself,” he smirks cockily. Eddie can’t stop himself from rolling his eyes, but there’s still a prominent blush on his face.
“I’m not a ‘cutie,’ but thanks...I guess,” he responds awkwardly.
“Anytime, cutie.”
Eddie decides to ignore it this one time, assuming that he would see this boy again.
“You’re new in town I’m assuming,” Eddie puts forth.
“What makes you assume that?” Richie chuckles.
“Well this is a small town in the middle of fucking nowhere, everyone knows everyone. Also, no person from Derry would be dancing in the rain in the middle of the street at 11:30 at night,” Eddie briefly remembers the time, but decides that this is more important than his mother grounding him for a month.
Richie smiles at the ground for a brief second. “Yeah well you are right there. I’m from California. My family just moved here.”
“Why the fuck would you come to Derry after living in California?” Eddie says more harsh than he means. Richie just lets out a laugh.
“I honestly have no fucking clue. But, I guess my parents wanted to escape from the hectic Cali life. My parents grew up here too, so they wanted to come back to their roots or whatever the fuck that means,” he explains.
“Oh. Makes sense,” Eddie gets awkward again. Richie just nods in return.
“Why were you dancing in the rain anyways?”
“Because it’s fun.”
“That’s it?” Eddie questions confusedly.
“No, I suppose there’s more to it. Like, do you remember being a kid and being so fascinated by the rain?” Richie begins. Eddie just nods.
“Well, it’s kind of like that. Dancing is one of the best things you can do, music is fucking awesome. And just losing yourself in song for a while, and dancing like a dumbass is an escape for me, as corny as that sounds. It’s freeing. The rain and being in the middle of the street part is honestly just for the dramatics of it all,” he ends with a chuckle.
Eddie notices a smile has been on his face the majority of his explanation. Fuck what is wrong with him? Who the actual fuck is this guy and why is feeling this way about him after just meeting him?
“That’s really...cool,” He looks up at Richie, smile still on his face. He thinks he sees the boy flush at that.
“Yeah really fucking cool.” He pauses for a second.
“Now Eds, how about you come dance with me.”
“First of all, do not call me Eds. And I should really be getting home.”
“Come on just one song,” Richie persists. He shakes his head.
“Please,” he whines like a kid. Eddie decides that he’s already fucked, so if he wants to dance in the street with a boy that is making him feel things he’s never felt before, then so be it.
That’s how he ends up dancing around with a boy he barely knows for way more than one song. Rain still pouring, and smiles blinding in the darkness. Their bodies occasionally bumping, and even at one point Richie grabbing his hand with calloused fingers and spinning him under the luminous glare of the streetlights. There’s songs playing out of Richie’s phone speaker, him only recognizing a few songs from ‘The 1975.’ Eddie thinks it’s the most fun he’s had in a long time. And Richie is still so fucking beautiful.
‘It’s just you and I tonight. Why don’t you figure my heart out’
Eddie remembers in that moment feeling breathless and exhilarated, and most importantly alive.
When they departed that night Eddie felt like they had an unbreakable connection, and he thinks Richie maybe felt that too. They exchanged numbers and he invited him to hang out with the other losers when they met up again.
That night when he got home his mom was asleep on her chair, and he knew he had it coming in the morning.
But, he wouldn’t trade the world for that night. Which still is true to present day.
---
Eddie is shaken out of his thoughts as Richie yanks him up from his place on the ground trying to get him to dance with him. He motions for all of the others to join. Everyone is too out of it to protest.
So, they all dance their hearts out to the 80s song, and then various other songs after that. Eddie feels like he’s home. His heart swells with love for his friends, and his hands grow sweaty because Richie does not let go of them the whole time.
---
They dance until they're too exhausted to continue and all slump down into a pile on the dirt floor.
Stan is of course sitting in between Bill’s legs. Bev and Ben are cuddled up together. Mike has his arm around Eddie making him feel the softness of his orange striped shirt. Richie is the only one not holding onto anybody, he is currently laying down on his back, chest heaving up and down.
They all have a tired smile plastered on their faces. Eddie loved moments like this, coming down from a happy moment that he would never forget. They are all silent, but it is comfortable and it stays like that for a solid five minutes.
Of course Richie has to be the one to ruin it, like always when he sits up and exclaims, “You know what I am so fucking tired of?”
Everyone raises their eyebrow at his sudden question.
“What are you tired of Richie?” Bev chuckles humoring whatever shit is about to come out of his mouth.
“I’m tired of giving a fuck.”
“When have you ever gave a single fuck?” Bill questions.
“It may seem like I don’t, but I do. More than you know. There are so many things I wanna do everyday, especially at school, but don’t because Derry is basically a low budget version of Hell.”
The atmosphere turns a little more serious, seeing that Richie seems genuinely distressed by this. Richie is never distressed by anything.
“I feel that,” Mike speaks up from above Eddie.
“Me too,” Stan adds quietly looking almost scared, Bill presses a quick kiss to his head.
Everyone else nods in agreement.
“Exactly! That’s what I’m saying too is that I know all of you hide who you are from everyone, and I’m honestly tired of it. You all are like the best people I have ever met, and I want other people to notice that,” Richie rants. It is probably one of the most heartfelt things he has ever said, and Eddie is beginning to question what the fuck was in that weed?
“How exactly could we do that?” Ben questions gently.
“I don’t know. Maybe by doing some crazy shit. Something that will make people see us. Then we could all do things we have always wanted to do that show who we are. Not giving a single fuck about what anyone has to say. And we’ll support each other the entire time like always.”
Eddie can see the wheels turning in everyone’s head, contemplating what he said. Eddie thinks what he’s suggesting is scary, but he’s willing to do it for Richie, and his friends. The thing about Richie is that he makes everyone in the group brave.
There’s just something about him that was so gravitating. Him joining the group was like a reset for everyone. Every loser just clicked with Richie personally, and he had the tendency of convincing them all to do stupid shit. They all had a distinct connection with him, that’s just the person he was. It is an unspoken fact that Richie Tozier was the best thing that happened to The Losers Club in a long time.
It was definitely a fact for Eddie, no wonder he was hopelessly in love with him.
Eddie thinks anyone could see that, he wasn’t exactly hiding it. But, Richie was obviously still oblivious to this.
“I’m down,” Bill speaks up first of course, he didn’t get the title ‘Brave Bill’ for nothing. Also, it is no secret that Bill and Richie consider themselves best friends. Richie probably spent the most time with Bill out of all the losers, with the exception of himself.
“Obviously I’m in. But only because you were so sweet about it,” Bev teases, but still presses a dramatic kiss to his cheek. Making Richie actually fucking giggle as she pulls away.
“You know I’m down and Bev is right since when are you such a sap Tozier?” Mike chuckles.
“What can I say you guys have changed me, you all are very bad influences on me,” Richie jokes. Making all of them roll their eyes.
“I think it would be a good thing for us to do,” Ben concludes. Bev hugs him tighter knowing that it is hard for Ben to show himself to the public, he usually prefers to stay unnoticed.
“Ugh, do I really have a choice?” Stan feigns annoyance, but all of them can see through the facade knowing that he is anxious about it, but Eddie can see that he does want to.
They all then are staring at Eddie for his response.
“So Eds what do you say?” Richie questions, looking into his eyes earnestly. Fuck, this man is his weakness and it is officially becoming a problem.
Eddie finally lets out a sigh, “Yeah I’ll do it you fuckers.”
They all cheer, deciding that it's the right time to all tackle him into a hug. All of them surround him and hold onto to each other, smothering him.
“I hate you all,” he grumbles out.
“We love you too,” they all basically say in unison and Richie and Bev start smacking disgusting kisses all over his face. He squawks pushing them a way, face still reddening from the attention.
They all then move off of each other and sit back down but in closer proximity to one another this time. Richie has decided to lay his head on Eddie’s lap now.
“So what should the first ‘zero fucks’ thing we do be?” Bill questions.
Beverly then suddenly gasps, making all of them look at her.
“Holy shit, we should all dye our hair!” she practically yells.
Stan and his own eyes widen almost comically.
There’s a “Sick” heard from Bill. A “I’m so down” from Mike. And a much louder than the rest “Fuck yeah!” from Richie.
“Are you actually insane, my mom would literally send me to a fucking mental hospital after going into actual cardiac arrest,” he retorts harshly.
“Yeah I don’t think my parents would exactly agree with their Jewish son going into a synagogue with bright ass pink hair,” Stan splutters out.
“Come on, didn’t we just agree we were going to stop giving a fuck,” Richie comments.
“Yeah you don’t have to dye it an insane color, but I think you would look very beautiful with pink hair Stanny,” Bev smirks, making Stan flip her off.
“I’m sure if you talk to your parents they’ll understand Stan. Eddie you’re mom will be mad but she’ll get over it eventually,” Ben tries to soothe them.
“You’ll be fine,” Richie says in a reassuring voice, and reaches up to smooth away the worry lines that were etched into Eddie’s forehead. He really is my weakness, and it is definitely dangerous Eddie thinks.
“You all are going to get me killed one day,” he huffs out in compliance. They all chuckle at him.
“Now when are we doing this?” Bill asks.
“Well I’m obviously doing all the dying so pick your hair color, and I have plenty of bleach. We should do this like Wednesday, trust me you do not wanna do this the day before school,” Bev explains.
“Okay Bev, we love a hairdresser,” Mike laughs out.
“You know it baby,” Bev winks, blowing a kiss to Mike. Mike dramatically catches it and holds it to his chest.
“Okay Wednesday were doing this shit, no backing out!” Richie exclaims.
“Lucky us,” Stan intones. “Now can we please go inside and go the fuck to sleep, I think I’m about ready to pass out.”
Everyone agrees and they unplug the lights and start heading in, knowing they’ll pick everything up in the morning.
Eddie and Richie stay farther behind the rest. He faintly hears Stan groan out a, “I hate tequila,” Bill responds with a casual, “No you don’t” before the door to the house closes. Leaving the two alone.
“You excited for Wednesday Eds? Because I sure am,” Richie says.
“Eh. I don’t really like you guys that much, I dread every time I see you,” Eddie responds with no seriousness in his voice, that statement is truthfully one of the biggest lies he’s ever told.
“Well that’s too bad isn’t it? That you don’t have a choice,” Richie quips as he moves in front of Eddie halting the two. He then places his hands on both of Eddie’s arms holding him there. Fuck, the ungodly things he has thought about those hands. Richie makes full on eye contact with him and Eddie is pretty sure he gulps.
“I guess I don’t,” he replies sheepishly.
“I’m proud of you though Eds,” Richie smiles and then presses a quick kiss to his lips. Because oh yeah that’s something they do sometimes.
They had kissed a handful of times, but it was never fueled with passion. It was more something that just happened in the moment, usually when Richie was drunk or high, or both. Eddie supposed it was his way of saying he cared about him, because they never talked about it the next day. Therefore, it probably wasn’t romantic on Richie’s end. Eddie was not mad about it, he desired more, but fuck if it didn’t mess with his feelings for the boy. It usually just left him more confused about how Richie truly felt about him.
“Thanks Rich,” he responds as composed as he can. Richie just smiles another breathtaking smile and drags Eddie in the house by his hand.