A//N; hey! Sorry I took so long to update, I've been working on like the sEVEN other books and oneshots. Hope you guys like this! It takes place after it chapter two, but we're pretending Eddie didn't die please and thank you. Also, my apologies for only doing It oneshots for awhile, I'm just rEALLY in that fandom. I'm thinking about actually just making a separate book for just It oneshots, would you like that? Comments make my day! Love you

Richie carefully held Eddie upright as he cracked open the door to the old Derry Hotel. Eddie winced lightly, quietly thanking Richie as he was plopped cautiously onto the couch. The taller quickly kissed his forehead before plotting off into the bathroom. He pulled out the small bottles of painkillers and a few of the prescribed tubes of lotion the hospital had given them.

Arriving back into the small lounge-like room, he found Eddie slowly attempting to get into a laying position. Richie quickly rushed over to the couch, sitting down next to Eddie and pulling his legs flush against his chest. He rapped a long arm around Eddies frail shoulders. The smaller man had lost a lot of weight and mussel from his long time in the hospital. Eddie sighed at the comforting touch, his eyes unconsciously falling shut, the tenseness of his shoulders sagging. "Haystack wanted to call, you feeling up for it?" Richie asked him quietly, smiling when Eddie nodded. The ravenette wasn't one to be this quiet and careful with people often, but he loved Eddie. He loved him more than words to describe, and he knew the man well enough to know that this recovery was going to be tough.

Richie grabbed his phone from the small table, swiftly pulling up Bens contact. The tall man appeared across the small screen, Beverly behind him. "Hey guys!" She grinned, a bottle of red wine in her hands. The red head placed a quick kiss to Bens cheek before looking back at the camera, "How are you feeling Eddie?" She asked, her tone changing to the caring "mom" type it tended to when she worried about the others.

The man smiled weakly in response, "'M doin okay." He said, shivering when Richie squeezed his shoulders lightly. "You wouldn't believe it, Red. He's been so brave." Eddie looked away, flustered by Richies words and muttering a small 'sure' as he nodded dismissively. Beverlys angelic laugh echoed from the phone. "I'm sure! We send our love you guys! You should call Bill, I know Stans been having a hard time in recovery as well, he could really use some company." She suggested, eliciting a nodd from Ben, the man had been quiet, but that was to be expected. Both Richie and Eddie knew they were calling mostly to talk to Bev, Ben was better at helping quietly from the sidelines with things like this.

"We gotta go guys! You get well Eddie, we love you!" She smiled before heading back into the kitchen in the background. Ben chuckled softly, "You're doing great, you guys. Make sure to call again soon." "Will do Haystack. And you take care of our girl alright?" Richie grinned toothily. Ben nodded, quickly saluting to the two before ending the call.

Eddie sighed, slumping into Richies hold. "Christ." He muttered, his eyes scrunching in pain. Richie leaned down to press a kiss into Eddies tangled hair, "Whats up Spaghetti?" "I need a fucking shower." He groaned. Rich laughed dryly, smiling fondly down at Eddie, who he knew wouldn't be able to see him. "You need some rest Eds, it's been a long day. We can worry about that later alright?" Eddie nodded tiredly, his head falling limply against the back of the couch with a groan.

Richie let his long fingers trail up Eddies sides, occasionally bringing his hands up to comb through his chestnut curls. The smaller mans breath had evened out, and small noises would escape his nose each time he exhaled. Richie gazed at Eddies relaxed face lovingly, not able to fully accept that he could truly be with him now.

——

When Eddie woke up, the sun had already fallen behind the horizon, and a light, pink hue brimmed the trees out the window. It was 8pm and waking up at this time always seems to mess with Eddies brain. He took a few minutes to adjust his position before realizing where he was. Only, now, the warm comfort of his Richie was absent. He sat up stiffly, looking around the room. "Richie?" He called.

When the man got no response, he reached over for his braces, carefully sliding them onto his wrists and struggling into the hallway. "Hey, Rich?" He asked again. "Fuck, Eds, you shouldn't be walking around." Richie bombarded, leaving the bathroom. He held a newly folded set of his own clothes, an old t-shirt and pair of sweatpants. "Yeah, well I was looking for you, asshole!" Eddie retorted, rolling his eyes when Richie pinched his cheek.

"I thought you'd maybe like to get cleaned up, yeah?" Richie asked, carefully caressing Eddies cheek with his thump. The small male leaned into his touch, eyes falling shut as he nodded eagerly, "please." Richie smiled at this, carefully helping him into the bathroom. He lifted Eddie onto the counter, and taking his braces to lean them against the tiled wall. It always baffled Eddie how oddly strong Richie was, then again, he was pretty sure even he would be able to lift himself considering how frail he had become. Eddie yawned, leaning his back against the mirror. "How should we do this Eds?" Richie asked, carefully kissing Eddies hot forehead. He had begun to sweat, and Richie could sense that he was getting stressed.

"What if I- Richie." Eddies voice cracked and he swallowed hard. "Shh Shh, baby, you're okay. Why don't I help you out, yeah?" Eddie nodded weakly, his hand carefully reaching up to touch his cheek.

you're braver than you think

"Okay, yeah, okay."

He nodded again, rapidly shaking his head as if to get the talking over with, wanting to change the subject. His eyes squinted tight for just a second.

Richie carefully unbuttoned Eddies shirt, helping him slide off the pair of loose jeans he wore. He'd helped with this before, Eddies time at the hospital had been tough, and the smaller man was just grateful to have Richie there with himS The mirror fogged with steam as the hot shower interrupted the silence of the room. Richie blushed, avoiding the others eyes while he slid off his boxers and shimmied over onto the stool sitting in the shower. Richie undressed into only his boxers as stepped under the hot water as well.

Eddies doe eyes had fallen shut again as he enjoyed the feeling of the warm water cleansing his skin. Richie kept his position behind Eddie, making sure to be behind the falling water as well. "I'm gonna wash your hair, alright Eds?" Richie asked him, leaning down so his lips nearly brushed the small hairs around Eddies ear. He nodded, eyes still tiredly shut. Richie leaned over, pouring shampoo onto his skinny fingers, bringing his hands up to comb through Eddies hair.

The two stayed under the hot water for what felt like hours, only leaving when the water turned cold.

Eddie carefully dressed into the clothing Richie had given him, letting the other change as well. It was rare for someone to see Eddies so vulnerable side, but Richie wouldn't trade the privilege for the world.