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Chapter one- Eddie, 1989
Eddie’s head spun with anxiety as he clutched the handlebars on his bike tight enough to leave marks. He was currently covered in shit, blood, and god knows what else, but he almost didn’t notice it, since he was so anxious about seeing his mother.
Almost.
He knew stepping into his house would be a living hell after going missing for a full day. Especially since the last thing he did was yell at his mom.
“Fuck.” He muttered under his breath.
He slowly stopped in front of his house, feet dragging on the pavement. He looked at his hand, still bleeding from where Bill cut it for the blood pact they had just made.
“Why the fuck did I agree to that?” He frowned and started making a mental checklist of what to do when he got inside to clean it. He stopped and stared at the front door, starting to tremble.
In the sewers, he had the rest of the losers with him. They were a team, and they faced and conquered their fears together. With them, he felt strong and confident, more sure of himself. Like he could sometimes be brave.
But now, back at home, he’s small, weak, and all alone.
He shivered, whispering to himself, “Okay. I can do it.” He squeezed his eyes shut and slowly opened the door.
——
“You are FORBIDDEN from EVER seeing those good for nothing, DISGUSTING, HORRIBLE INFLUENCES AGAIN!”
Sonia screeched in Eddie’s face, shaking his shoulders as Eddie did his best not to cry. She was holding him so tightly that her nails were digging into his shoulders, and it was painful. He was frozen, and couldn't find the right words to say.
You can do this Eddie, come on. Be brave.
Taking a deep breath, he gulped and said, “No ma. I have to. I have see them. They’re- they’re everything to me and I told you we were just on a camping trip.”
Sonia gripped his shoulders even tighter, making him whimper.
“Camping is EXTREMELY dangerous Eddie-bear, have you thought of the amount of danger you put yourself in just by being outside? And look at you! You’re absolutely filthy! You are a small, fragile boy and can’t be doing things like this.” She growled.
Eddie swallowed.
“I’m so sorry mommy. I promise I’ll never go somewhere without telling you ever again. I won’t. Please don’t be mad at me, please I love you.” He gave her the biggest doe eyes possible and started giving her a hug. She grabbed his wrist, far too tightly, and threw him to the ground hard.
He gasped in horror as he looked up, his mother towering over him.
She leaned in, her hot breath hitting Eddie’s face.
“Why are you even friends with them? You need better friends.” She sneered, whispering darkly in his face. Eddie held his breath.
"I know about that girl, Beverly Marsh. She’s a dirty, nasty girl. She sleeps around with every boy in town. You shouldn’t be hanging out with a whore Eddie.” His mom's tone was dark and threatening. Eddie felt tears running down his cheeks.
“Even worse, I’ve been hearing rumors from some of the other ladies in town that no-good Richie Tozier is a dirty fucking queer.” She said, her voice low and whispering. Eddie was internally screaming at her, but he couldn’t find the strength to move his mouth and form words.
“It’s disgusting. I don’t want you hanging around a queer. He’ll touch you in bad ways. Dirty ways.”
She grabbed Eddie by the face. Just like Pennywise did in Neibolt. At this point, Eddie was hyperventilating.
“You’re my baby forever Eddie. Nobody can ever take you away from me, and nobody can-“
“STOP IT MOM. JUST STOP.” Eddie screamed, his vision blurred with tears and his head pounding. He pushed his mom off him and stood up.
Sonia made a fake pouty face and put her hands on her hips.
“Now Eddie-bear” She said in a sing-song way, the complete opposite of the tone she just had moments ago.
“Don’t get so worked up sweetheart! You know I just tell you these things because I love you and want to protect you.” She walked towards him and he backed away from her, shaking his head.
“Don’t EVER say things like that about my friends, I love them and they’d never do anything to hurt me like that because they ACTUALLY care about me.” He ran up the stairs, a lump in his throat, and went immediately into the bathroom, slamming the door and locking it. Without even looking at himself, he threw off his clothes and rushed into the shower. His cast was getting all wet, but he didn’t care anymore. He sat on the floor of the shower, knees to his chest and wept.
——
A solid 90 minutes later, once Eddie felt he was properly clean in every place imaginable, he flopped onto his bed, a sense of relief finally settling in.
Unfortunately, that relief was rather short lived. Suddenly, there was a soft tap against the window. Then another one. Eddie jumped. He crept out of bed, shaking, and went over to the window.
He sighed in relief. “It was just a tree branch, you paranoid idiot.” he whispered to himself, frowning and shaking his head. He cautiously crept back into bed, and looked at his clock. 8:00 PM. He grabbed his covers, a comic book, and flashlight, diving under the blanket, hoping to ease his troubled thoughts.
Nothing worked.
He heard every little noise in the room, and saw every shadow lurking in dark corners.
“Shut the fuck up.” He hissed to himself.
“He’s not coming out, we killed It. Right?”
But what if we didn’t.
He squeezed his eyes shut, and thought of his friends.
Big Bill, the leader of the group, was always kind and strong. He was so handsome, so sure of himself. Eddie always looked up to him.
Sweet Ben, the adorable little nerd with the biggest heart.
Stan the smartass, who seemed aloof but Eddie knew he secretly cared, maybe more than anyone.
Strong Mike, who was wise beyond his years and always gave the best advice.
Beautiful Bev, with her headstrong confidence and bravery. Eddie was almost jealous of her. She was just so badass.
And of course, his very best friend Richie.
Him and Richie may butt heads all the time, but Eddie secretly loves it. Nobody in the world can make him laugh as much as Richie can.
A funny thought crossed his mind.
In the Neibolt house, when he broke his arm falling through the ceiling, he thought he was going to die. Pennywise spitting and drooling in his face, with his yellow eyes and sharp teeth. Eddie started trembling, tearing up at the memory.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Bill and Richie rush in screaming his name.
A brief moment of relief, of hope, flashed through Eddie’s body as Pennywise stood up and started taunting Bill.
Richie instantly ran to his side.
Eddie was sobbing, crying and screaming.
Richie leaned over, wrapping his arm around Eddie and speaking quietly in his ear.
“Hey Eds, no matter what I’ll get you out of here, okay? You’re going to be okay Eds. I won’t let him get you.”
Huh. That was weird. Eddie thought.
Everyone, including him, was too busy freaking out to notice how sweet Richie was being in that moment, just to try and calm him down.
Eventually the others ran to Eddie’s side as Pennywise slowly staggered towards them.
He remembers thinking, and feeling almost certain, that he was going to die. He feels a tightness in his chest, remembering the visceral fear.
He was screaming, utterly terrified. Richie grabbed Eddie’s face, and looked right into his eyes.
Despite all the chaos and terror they were feeling, Richie was still smiling at him, albeit with a terrified look in his eyes, trying to comfort him.
Wow. Eddie thought. I can’t believe he did that for me. He was looking out for me, even when we all thought we were about to die.
"Eds, don’t look at him. Look at me. It’ll be ok just keep your eyes on me I promise it’ll be ok.”
Eddie’s eyes widened, mesmerized for a second, before returning to screaming at what seemed like their impending doom.
Richie grabbed his hand.
“Eds it’s ok, just look at me not him. I promise I’ll protect you, just don’t look at him.” Eddie got lost for a solid second, staring at his face, and then remembered the situation. He turned back to Pennywise, when Richie cupped Eddie's face and looked directly into his eyes.
I love Richie’s eyes. They’re so nice, what a pretty blue. Eddie shook his head at the thought.
“Don’t look at him, look at me.” Richie said, gently cupping Eddie's cheeks with both hands.
“I promise everything is ok, I won’t ever let anything happen to you, just look at me Eds.”
Eddie could see the fear in his eyes as pennywise crept towards them. But he never broke his gaze. He never faltered.
Eddie sat down on his bed, feeling confused.
Richie probably thought we were going to die too.
Eddie remembered another time, how he clung and hung onto him when Pennywise appeared in Bill’s garage.
Despite the fact that the memory was traumatic, Eddie smiled, remembering the feeling of being in Richie’s arms.
When Eddie thought about it for too long, he started blushing.
Why would I blush about Richie? He frowned and laid back.
For at least 30 more minutes, Eddie did his best to fall asleep, but to no avail. All he could see was Pennywise and Richie, and all he wanted was for Richie to come comfort him again. He grabbed the little phone he hid under the bed (an old birthday gift from Stan) and called him.
——
Chapter one- Richie, 1989
Richie never felt better when he was with all the losers. Especially Eddie.
He gave him a hug after he announced he was leaving to go back home after the blood pact, and Richie couldn’t stop thinking about it.
The way it felt to hug Eddie.
He fit in his arms perfectly, and the way he smiled up at him, big brown eyes shining, freckles gleaming, and said, “See ya tomorrow Rich.”
He melted inside at the memory.
What the fuck is wrong with me. He thought, putting his head in his hands.
He felt a hand gently touch his back.
He looked up and saw Stan's sweet face illuminated by the sunshine, making his mop of curly hair look like a halo.
“Richie, what’s wrong?” He said, genuinely concerned.
“Oh, I don’t know Stan, we all just almost died but other than that I’m great!” He responded back, shoving down the lump in his throat.
Stan narrowed his eyes and sat next to him, hand still resting on his back.
“Cmon Rich. I know it’s more than that. You were acting fine until… until like 5 minutes ago actually. You can tell me anything. Really.”
Stan put his hand on Richie’s thigh, and looked at him with such genuine affection and love that Richie almost thought about telling him.
Almost.
“C’mon Stan, there isn’t anything else. No big deal, really. I was just thinking about shit and whatever. But thanks for asking Stan the man! Richie flashed his cheesiest grin, hoping he’d buy it.
“Besides, I gotta get home anyways!” He loudly exclaimed.
Stan shook his head and sighed.
“Ok Richie. But if you ever want to talk about something, anything, I’ll always be here. And never judge. I promise.”
Stan looked deep into his eyes for a moment before pulling him into a tight hug.
Richie sat, shocked and motionless for a moment, before bringing his arms up to return the hug.
“Thank you Stan.” He whispered.
And with that, Richie was off.
——
He knew his parents wouldn’t be as upset as some of the other loser’s, (for example, the dictator that was Mrs. Kaspbrak), but he also wasn’t expecting a warm welcome when he got back.
They’d all been gone for a whole day to fight the clown, no warning or nothing.
His parents barely noticed him as is, but he knew he was in for it when he did get home.
Zooming through the streets on his bike, he saw something in his peripheral vision and suddenly braked. He slowly rode over to it and stared.
The kissing bridge, the place where people carve their initials with their crush or significant other.
There were hundreds of couples on there, and Richie ran his hand along the initials.
He wondered if any of them were two boys.
He blushed at the thought, flustered with himself.
Remember what Bowers said. You’re a fucking dirty-
But then he thought of Eddie.
The way he talked, so fast and so frenzied, babbling on about nothing of importance really, but Richie always clung to every word he said.
The way his brown eyes glittered when he laughed, his freckles in the sunlight, and the way he always had something snappy to say back to Richie.
Loving someone like that couldn’t be bad, right?
Richie looked left and right. Nobody was there. He pulled out his emergency knife from his shorts, and looked again. With a slightly shaking hand and nervous breath, he carved R+E into the bridge. He looked at it, touched it, and ached, wishing it could be true. He finished off his carving with a heart surrounding the initials.
He felt tears welling up in his eyes as he softly kissed his fingertips and touched the initials.
“Maybe someday.” He softly whispered.
Tears now fully blurring his vision, he hopped back on his bike and sped home as fast as he could.
——
Richie cautiously opened the front door. He slowly walked to the living room. Nobody was there.
“Uhhh, Mom? Dad”
“They’re not here dipshit”
Richie turned around to see his older sister, Becca, leaning against the stairwell.
“Remember? They said they were going on a trip for their anniversary or something. Besides, where the fuck have you been for the past two days? You look even worse than usual.” She said, frowning at him.
Richie frowned back at her.
“I’ve been hanging out with my friends, okay? We went camping. Besides, it’s none of your business Bec.”
Bec’s frown deepened and she crossed her arms.
“Jesus Rich, it was just a fucking question. No need to throw a tantrum about it.”
Richie felt anger boiling up inside him.
Of course, perfect Miss. Rebecca doesn’t know anything about what I’ve had to go through in the past 24 hours, for the past few months.
“Look Bec. I don’t want to hear any shit from you tonight. Please just fucking leave me alone.”
He pushed past her and angrily stomped up the stairs, then loudly slammed his door shut.
“UGH, WHATEVER JERKFACE.” She screamed back up at him.
He groaned, laying on the floor with his hands over his face.
He lifted up his hands, looking at them.
It finally dawned on him that he was, in fact, covered in shit.
He sighed, got back up, and decided he might as well shower. He grabbed some new clothes and headed to the bathroom.
Wow, he thought. I bet Eddie would be proud of me.
Eddie.
Richie sat in the shower for at least 45 minutes, just sitting on the ground, and crying about everything.
He almost died. His best friends in the whole world almost died. His Eddie almost died.
Richie sat, small as can be on the shower floor until he ran out of tears, and then finally, he got out.
He practically crawled into bed, more emotionally and physically exhausted than he thinks he’s ever been.
*Knock knock*
Becca cracked his door open, peering into the room.
“Uh.. Richie... Can I come in?”
He nodded as she slowly opened the door, holding a mug.
“I brought you hot chocolate.” She said, placing it on his bedside table.
“Thanks Bec. That was really thoughtful of you.” He picked up the cup, savoring the sweet smell.
“Look, I don’t really know what you were doing or where you were, but if something happened you can tell me. Besides.” She sighed.
“You’re my little brother, and I want you to know that I’m looking out for you. If you ever need advice on anything, even girls and relationships, I got you covered. Okay?”
Richie smiled at her.
“Thanks Bec. That means a lot.”
She ruffled his hair playfully.
“Of course. Goodnight trashmouth.”
“Goodnight butthead.”
She smiled fondly at him, closing the door on the way out.
Richie loved his sister, despite the fact that she was a super popular typical high school teenager that came straight out of a John Hughes movie. She always looked out for him, and they’ve had a lot of fun memories together.
I wonder if she would give me advice about boys instead.
All of a sudden.
*ring ring*
The phone starts ringing.
Richie sat up in his bed like a bullet, staring at the phone with wide eyes. Who could it be at this hour? Usually Eddie, but you never know.
He really hoped it was Eddie.
Picking it up, Richie said, “Helloooo?” In his stupid British voice.
“Richie?” Said Eddie on the other side, in a small little voice.
“Eddie Spaghetti! Now what makes you call me at this hour!” Richie says, starting to feel warm in his chest.
“I- I’m sorry Rich it’s stupid. It’s just that I can’t sleep and I keep getting scared of seeing It everywhere and I’m just scared and exhausted and I just was wondering if maybe you wanted to sleepover tonight?”
Richie blushed, suddenly feeling nervous.
“Oh! Well uh, I-“
Eddie sighed. “Look Rich, I’m really sorry I just bothered you like this but I just-“
“I just didn’t wanna be alone” Eddie whimpered.
Richie felt a pang of sadness hit him across the chest at the sound of his terrified little voice
He grabbed a backpack and started shoving some things to stay the night in it.
“No Eds, don’t be sorry. I get it man. I’ll be over there in ten.” He replied.
Richie heard a soft little sigh of relief on the other end of the phone.
“Oh, thank you so fucking much Richie, like really I’m serious.”
Richie blushed at the sincerity.
“Uhhh well really it’s nothing, besides I was heading over there anyways to see your mom so I-“
“Richie I swear to fucking god-“ Eddie snapped, back in his usual, sassy little way.
“Ha! There’s the Eds I know and love!” Richie exclaimed in a British accent. “Bye, see you in a few!”
He said, smiling at Eddie’s angry little grumbles as he hung up.
Richie grabbed his bag, which he promptly filled with Eddie’s favorite snacks that his mom wouldn’t let him have, and quietly headed out the door.
Hopping on his bike, he felt a few small drops of rain on his face. He wiped them off his glasses.
Ugh. I hope it doesn’t get worse.
Richie quickly biked away from his home, leaving both his hot chocolate and troubled thoughts behind him.
——
Chapter one: Eddie, 1989
Eddie felt absolutely horrible as he watched the rain pouring from the clouds.
Fuck. He muttered to himself, pacing around his room.
Poor Richie is out there right now, getting all wet just because I was being a pussy. He was probably going to catch a cold and then-
TAP TAP TAP.
Eddie jumped and squeaked at the sudden noise, only to see a very wet Richie clinging to his window. Eddie frowned and darted over.
“Richie! You fucking dipshit, I told you to stop climbing up the house. Just because you can do it doesn’t mean you should.” He said, crossing his arms.
Richie just simply looked at him.
“C'mon” he said, grabbing Richie’s arms and helping him into the room.
He landed on the floor, spraying little water droplets everywhere. Eddie quickly shut the window, and turned around to look down at him.
His normally fluffy hair was all limp and wet, his glasses were foggy, and his clothes were soaked to the point that his shirt was see-through. Eddie’s eyes widened. Poor Richie, he was going to get sick!
“Hi Eddie spaghetti, I’m here!” He said weakly, smiling up at him.
“I brought your favorite snacks but I think they might’ve gotten wet, I’m sorry” he said, looking down.
“Sorry!?” Eddie exclaimed.
“Richie no no no, I-“ he paused, suddenly feeling self conscious.
He took a deep breath.
“It means a lot that you always come hang out with me when I’m scared, especially today when it was pouring rain. You didn’t have to do that, but you did. So um. Thank you Richie. Really.” He said, feeling his face heat up a bit.
Fuck, am I blushing? Why would I be blushing?
Richie’s eyes widened, and he looked down at the ground smiling.
“Anything for you, Eddie my love”
Eddie shook his head and rolled his eyes, all while giggling and smiling.
“Cmon Rich. We gotta get you cleaned up or else you’ll get sick. Let’s go.” Eddie said, holding his hand out to him.
Richie slowly stood up, ending up really close to Eddie.
Eddie felt his face heat up again.
What the fuck is wrong with me?? Can I stop doing that?
Their faces were inches apart.
They both simply looked at each other for a bit, just absorbing the other one's face. Richie smiled softly and shyly.
Eddie cleared his throat.
“Richie, I, uh-“ he stuttered.
Richie giggled. “Ah, so I’ve rendered you speechless! My presence tends to do that to people-“
He was cut off by Eddie tightly wrapping his arms around him.
For a second, he froze, but Eddie felt him quickly return the embrace. He snuggled his head into the crook of Richie’s shoulder. Richie looked down at him with huge eyes.
“Thanks again Richie. You’re my best friend and I don’t know what I’d do without you.” He said softly. Richie smiled down at him.
“Anything for you, Eddie my love” he repeated.
Eddie giggled, pulling away.
“Okay trashmouth, let’s get you some clothes!” Eddie took his hand and led him to the bathroom.
——
Richie sat down on the edge of the bathtub, shivering. Eddie handed him a towel.
“Hey Rich, hand me your glasses” Richie obliged, and he toweled off his hair aggressively as Eddie carefully cleaned them off.
Eddie peered above the lenses at Richie as he shook out his soft brown hair.
Wow, Richie has really nice hair. Eddie thought. He always liked Richie’s hair, but he hadn’t put much thought into it before. He handed Richie back his glasses.
“Alright asshole, I’ll be back with some clothes. And don’t even start about how they’re too small for you or whatever, I already KNOW that and I’ll get you my biggest things.” Eddie said, crossing his arms.
Richie gave him the most fake sweet smile he could.
“What!? I would never make fun of your small, petite frame Eddie spaghetti!” He said, batting his eyelashes.
“Ugh Richie, what is up with you and always calling me fucking Eddie spaghetti, quit it! I’ll be back.” Eddie turned on his heel and shut the door before Richie could say anything else stupid.
He hurried to his room and found a pair of shorts with a stretchy waistband, and an old yellow t-shirt with a Chevy on it.
Well, this is the best I’ve got.
He paused, thinking about underwear.
Ugh! No way would I give Richie my underwear! Eddie thought, scrunching his nose and shaking his head.
But it’ll be all wet.. he thought, blushing a little.
He shook his head again. No way. Sharing underwear is way too far for Eddie.
Richie was just going to have to deal with a cold wet ass.
Eddie headed back to the bathroom, only to find Richie, in just his underwear, fanning himself.
Eddie stopped.
“Richie. What the fuck are you doing.” He said, raising his eyebrows.
“Shit!” Richie exclaimed, looking embarrassed.
“I thought I could dry off my underwear before you came back, but I guess not. I knew you wouldn’t let me use yours, and besides that’s weird anyways.” He said, shrugging.
“Richie… why the fuck- never mind. Just put these on and come back.” Eddie said, shaking his head as he shoved the clothes in Richie’s arms and walked back to the bedroom.
——
Eddie was laying on his bed when Richie walked in.
“Ummm… so this outfit is uh…” Eddie looked up and his jaw dropped.
Luckily Richie was skinny like him, so everything was right width wise. But length wise, it was short. Really short.
Eddie’s yellow t-shirt landed right above his belly button, and the shorts were only halfway down his thighs.
Eddie just stared.
Wow. He thought. Richie should wear cropped shirts more often… wait what? That’s weird.
“See somethin ya like?” Richie said in a New York accent, raising his eyebrows and gesturing to himself.
Eddie rolled his eyes and suppressed a smile.
“You look like a total idiot, nothing fits you right you- you- frickin 'scarecrow!” Eddie exclaimed.
Richie stared at him.
“Scarecrow?” He said.
They stared at each other for a minute before bursting out laughing.
Richie came over and tackled Eddie onto the bed.
“Oh Eds, you never fail to make me laugh.” Richie said, smiling down on him.
“Don’t call me Eds, and get your big stupid face out of mine!”
Richie laughed and leaned back.
“Okay okay Eduardo! Hold on, lemme get your treats!”
Richie sprang up from the bed over to his soaking backpack.
“Ahoy matey! Now take yer pick of the booty!”
Richie said in his best imitation of a pirate while dumping out his bag on the floor.
It was full of pop-tarts, Twinkie’s, push-pops, soda, and everything Eddie wanted but couldn’t eat due to his strict diet enforced by his mother.
“Ugh, shut up Richie you sound like a total idiot! Plus did you really need to dump this out on the floor like that?”
To an outsider, Eddie’s response would come across as rude, but Eddie knew Richie could tell he was grateful; it was their secret language.
They sat on the floor, backs against the bed eating junk food, just leaning on each other.
They were quiet for a moment.
“Hey.. Rich?”
“Yeah Eds?”
“Do you really think... Do you think It’s gone? I just-“ Eddie’s voice started to waver.
“I just don’t think I can- do it-”
He broke down sobbing.
Richie’s face filled with concern.
“Eds it’s okay, c’mere” Richie gently pulled Eddie towards him and into his lap, then wrapped his arms around him and started rubbing his back.
Eddie broke away from the hug and looked up at him.
“I don’t know what to do Richie. I feel like he’s always going to be with me, even though we killed It, and I don’t know how I’ll ever get over it, and what if It comes back? I don’t think I could do this again I-“
He started gasping and pressed his face into Richie’s shoulder.
Richie sighed.
“Eds… I know how you feel. I’m just… so paranoid that something is always watching me now. But we just gotta trust each other and ourselves that It’s gone, at least for a long time, because of us. We killed It. And if somehow, It magically comes back, we can do it again because we know It’s tricks. I don’t think the fear will really go away ever, but maybe that’s not an entirely bad thing? We can all talk about it together as losers, because we all shared the experience together, and we can help each other through the rough patches. It’ll get better I think Eds, just keep telling yourself that you’re brave, braver than you think.”
Eddie stopped crying and stared up at Richie with wide eyes.
“You really think I’m brave?” He said softly.
“Um.. yeah? I think everyone is brave, but especially you. I mean c'mon Eds, we took down a scary ass demon clown thing? Plus you stood up to your mom who is like the scariest person I’ve ever seen.”
Eddie shook his head, smiling lightly through the tears.
“Trust me Eds. I may be a jokester, but I’m not kidding when I say you’re the bravest person I know.”
Richie smiled sweetly down at him. Eddie felt a smile growing on his face as he wiped away the tears.
“Thanks Rich. Thanks for always being there for me.”
He felt something in him, something more, but he tried to ignore it.
He stared into Richie’s blue eyes.
His hair was a little curlier than usual because of the rain, and Eddie lightly brushed one of his curls out of his face. Richie’s eyes slightly widened at the touch.
He felt a rush of adrenaline, and before it could go away, he leaned up and softly kissed Richie on the cheek.
Richie’s mouth fell open and his eyes grew huge.
“Hey, uh... I love ya man. Let’s get some sleep.” Eddie said, praying Richie didn’t think it was weird he just did that.
“Uh yeah, I love ya too buddy! Goodnight!” They both climbed into Eddie’s bed, lying next to each other. Richie scooted down on the pillow, and Eddie turned towards him so he was laying in the crook of his arm. He rested his hand on Richie’s chest, snuggling into him. “Goodnight Rich.” He said, as he drifted off to sleep faster than he had all summer.
——
Richie, chapter 1, 1990
As Eddie cuddled close to him, falling asleep, Richie felt like he was in a dream.
This is how it’s supposed to be.
He kept replaying the kiss over and over in his mind. It’s just a friend thing, he said to himself. It was not and will not be anything more, stop being weird and gross. With a shaky sigh, he turned his head, directly facing Eddie’s forehead. He could tell he was asleep, and he leaned over, giving him the softest, most delicate kiss on the forehead possible. Richie felt himself finally begin to succumb to sleep, as a single tear fell from his eye, into the bedspread. Fuck.