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Richie had been haunted by nightmares for months after Neibolt, and they continued even after Eddie was discharged from the hospital, finally reaching the end of his recovery period. He had barely made it-- if they’d been just a little bit later, Eddie likely wouldn’t have survived his injuries. Richie was terrified and insisted on staying by his bedside at all times, just watching over him to make sure he stayed stable, even though that was obviously the hospital staff’s job. He needed to be right there, always-- just making sure his Eddie was okay.
And he was, eventually. In due time, he’d made a steady recovery and was discharged, at which point Richie took him to the kissing bridge and told him everything-- how he’d been in love with him when they were just thirteen, how when Eddie moved, he never forgot him- only the circumstances they’d lived in- and his feelings had never faded. And Eddie had looked at him for a moment, and without even bothering to speak the words “I love you too”, enveloped him in what might have been the single most comforting hug he’d ever experienced. It didn’t need to be said, Richie had already put the pieces together, but Eddie buried his face in Richie’s hair and whispered;
“I love you too, Rich.”
It normally would have shaken Richie up to hear those words-- but at this moment, they were sitting on the paved road on their knees, wrapped up in a tight, comfortable and warm hug. Richie felt at ease hearing that, and he released the tension in his shoulders. He relaxed into Eddie’s arms, finally giving himself a moment to breathe for the first time since they’d left Neibolt. He’d spent so long watching over Eddie with bated breath that he’d forgotten what it felt like to just exist. They sat there holding each other for a considerable amount of time, just breathing each other in and finally sharing an intimate moment that they’d both been far too scared to even try to initiate when they were kids.
But that was a long time ago, and Richie still faced nightmares even after so many months. Images of Eddie’s death, which he hopes are just because of the trauma of watching Eddie be impaled… and other concerningly terrifying images that he had attributed to the deadlights. He didn’t like to talk about them much, mostly for fear of worrying Eddie, but he knew that he’d have to answer his boyfriend’s questions eventually. He just didn’t want Eddie to worry about him, he just wanted them to live their cozy little domestic life in their LA apartment and not have to worry about It anymore.
But that wasn’t how it worked. Eddie worried relentlessly, sometimes becoming very upset when Richie would refuse to tell him about his nightmares. Now, Richie was awake in their bed, laying on his side and staring at the wall. He couldn’t get back to sleep, and he didn’t necessarily want to. The longer he was awake, the less he’d have to worry about bad dreams. It wouldn’t stop Eddie from eventually waking, however, and turning to press his chest against Richie’s back and draping his arm over Richie’s middle.
“Mm. Richie?” Richie stayed silent, not wanting to necessarily have to deal with Eddie’s questions, but knowing he might have to. “...Rich, are you okay?” Eddie propped himself up on his elbow, looking down at his sleep-deprived other half. Richie looked up at him in silence, not wanting to speak, but also not really being able to see him super clearly without his glasses. He sighed, then looked back at the wall.”Eds, I’m fine. I keep telling you that, and--” Eddie Sat up all the way and brought his hand down, cupping Richie’s face and tilting his head so they could look at each other properly again. “Richie. Please, tell me the truth. You’ve been telling me you’re fine and I know you aren’t, so please, just tell me what’s going on…” He brushed his thumb over Richie’s cheek, concern written all over his face. “...I’m worried about you.”
Richie looked up at Eddie, and it became clear exactly how worried he really was. And suddenly, all at once, he felt fucking awful for lying to him for so long. “Eds, I…” he sighed, sitting up on his elbows. “I just have nightmares sometimes. I think it was the deadlights, I don’t know. Most of them are about what would have happened to you if we couldn’t get you out of Neibolt, and… I just… I don't like thinking about it too much.” Eddie sighed and brushed his thumb over Richie’s cheek again, looking more worried than before. ‘Rich…”
Richie sighed, averting his gaze a bit before looking back at him. “Richie, please just… Let me be there. Wake me up, I don’t care. I just want to be able to calm you down… Waking up from nightmares alone is never fun.” Richie considered sitting up all the way with him, but the thought left his mind when Eddie leaned down to kiss him, and he forgot about everything for a moment. He always got that damn feeling in his chest… It never did go away. Every single time Eddie would cuddle up or lean in for a kiss or hold his hand, his breath would hitch and he’d find his heart would start racing. Felt just like when they were kids.
“...I love you, Eds. So much.” Eddie smiled softly, pressing a second kiss to his lips, then another to his jaw. He laid back down, pressed his chest to Richie’s back once more, and settled in for bed again.
“I love you too, Richie.”