Richie Tozier is in my room.
Eddie invited him in, led him through the hall, made small talk. And now he was in his room.

Eddie stared off at his wall blankly, his brain running a mile a minute. He glanced over at Richie who was running his fingers along the spines of the books lining his bookcase.

It had been years since Richie was in his room and Eddie still couldn't believe he was here. What had happened to the plan? What happened to all the pent up anger and frustrations? Eddie forced the penetrating thoughts down, Richie had rescued him from that jerk. The plan, and the pain, was the last thing on his mind right now.
"Where did you even come from? How did you find me?" Eddie finally asked cutting through the silence.

Richies eyes met his own, he seemed nervous. "I was at a club meeting.." He finally squeezed the words out then pulled up a seat in Eddies rolling chair he kept at his desk.

Eddie scoffed and leaned forward knowing Richie wasn't letting on what he really wanted to say.
"A club meeting? What club are you in?" He demanded slinging his legs off the side of his bed to better face Richie.

Richie stared down at his lap, twisting his fingers so they'd crack. He kept his lips pressed firmly together, "You'll make fun of me." He uttered glancing up at Eddie briefly before his eyes trained back on his hands.

Eddie stifled his laughter and nudged Richies leg with his foot. Richie looked back up at him the faintest trace of a smile etched on his lips. Eddie tilted his head to the side and grinned,
"Since when do you care?" Eddie snorted scrunching his nose up.

Richie groaned throwing his head back and screwed his eyes closed.
"D and D club." He mumbled running his hands down his face.

Eddie blinked. "Sorry, What?" He asked, genuinely having no clue what Richie was going on about. He slid off his bed and walked toward him, a mischievous grin on his face. "Run that by me again?" Eddie teased.

Eddie felt laughter bubble in his chest at the way Richie smiled behind the hands covering his face. He didn't know why but he wanted to pry them away, take in that look full force.
"Dungeons and dragons club." Richie whined and Eddie laughed.

The hands covering Richies face flew down to reveal an angry one. Eddie squealed as Richie grabbed his sides, tickling him, only causing Eddie to laugh harder and squirm. "Stop!" He begged between fits of laughter but his protests only seemed to spur Richie on further.

Eddie shoved Richie backwards and ran jumping on his bed. He grabbed a pillow holding it over his head breathing heavily. Richie with a devilish smile slunk slowly toward the bed, hands outstretched.
"Don't take another step! I'll scream!" Eddie threatened trying to sound serious but breaking into giggles at how ridiculous they must have looked.

And that's when Richie pounced. He leaped on the bed digging his fingers into Eddies side, making him wheeze with laughter. He shook underneath him and tried with all his might to get out from underneath Richie.
"Richie Tozier, you're a fucking dork! Dungeons and dragons club? Wow!" He shouted hoping his onslaught would make him back off.

Richie almost immediately stopped. His hands dropped to his side, lips quirking up into a disgusted face.
"Shut the fuck up, you're in theatre! That's so much worse." He huffed waving Eddie off then snagged a pillow from his bed. Richie threw the pillow laughing loudly as it hit Eddie square in the face.

"No it's not!" Eddie shouted then grabbed the pillow whacking Richie in the face full force making Richie double over.
Eddie slapped a hand over his mouth seeing Richie grab his lip, the cut reopening. "I'm so sorry!" Eddie squeaked out his eyes widening unsure how to react.

Richie wiped the blood off and sniffed before ripping the pillow out of Eddies hands and socked him in the gut with it.
"It's basically the same thing." He argued sliding up against where Eddies bed met the wall.

Eddies jaw dropped, gawking at Richie like he was crazy. Richie stared him down with a challenge in his eye, Eddie scoffed and leaned over smacking him in the chest.
"No it's not!" Eddie said rolling his eyes.

Richie sat up pushing Eddie back.
"We play characters, and get to have fun. All you do is play a character. Lame!" Richie guffawed causing Eddies face to scrunch up making Richie laugh harder.

"Oh my God, shut up." Eddie gave in laughing, mock wiping the corners of his eyes to rid them of tears. He settled down and laid comfortably out on his bed, Richie watching across from him. There was that look again, nervousness behind every move.

Eddie eyes Richie with a questioning look, "Are you okay?" He placed a hand on his knee then quickly changed to resting it on his shoulder instead.

Richie seemed to swallow then wet his lips. He turned to face Eddie, a seriousness in his face that Eddie had never seen but once before. "I was an ass to you." Richie mustered out, his statement  hung in the air keeping Eddie rooted to his spot.

Richie kept his gaze locked on Eddie.
"I didn't know what I wanted, I never thought before I acted. But in a lifetime of wrong turns, mistake after mistake and screw ups, you're the first thing that's felt right." He began to smile.

Eddie sat dumb founded.
His mouth bobbed, trying to find the right words to express all the emotions running through him. Eddie opted for squeezing his eyes shut, hoping by some miracle  Richie would disappear when they reopened.

But there he was. Sitting on his bed, a hopeful smile still resting on his lips.
It made Eddie sick to his stomach.
"No." Eddie mumbled simply.

There was a tense silence that fell over them. Richie opened his mouth a strained whine coming from the back of his throat.
"I'm trying to tell you how I feel Ed's, I care about you and I want to make things right by you." He explained.

"Please don't call me that." Eddie interjected and quickly got to his feet. He moved across the room, grabbing for the door.

Richie scrambled up after him. Trailing behind Eddie as he walked out into the hall and down the stairs leading to his living room. "I'm sorry, that ones on me." Richie stopped at the last step, Eddie turned around with his arms folded over his chest protectively.

"Yeah.." Eddie mumbled tearing his eyes away from Richies face.

Richie scoffed and slowly stepped toward Eddie. "Can you just accept my apology?" He reached his hand out.

Eddie stared at Richies outstretched hand. With quivering lips he squeaked out,
"I-I don't want an apology, I don't want to do this again. You need to leave." Eddie took Richies hand and forced it down to his side.

Richies eyes widened and he moved in frantically.
"Woah! No, what do you want? You clearly don't want an apology, what do you want Eddie?" He begged and Eddie felt like throwing up.

Eddie pushed past Richie before he lost his lunch and pulled the front door open, making it very clear what he wanted.
"I want for you to leave me alone please. I'll see you at rehearsal." He stated calmly despite the quiver in his voice.

Richie stepped out onto the porch his head hung low. He watched Eddie on his way out, hurt plain on his face.
"Eddie.. Cmon, don't be like that." He tries once more but Eddie was prepared to stand his ground.

"Good night Richie, take care of yourself." He sealed the door shut, flipping the lock. Eddie sighed heavily and slid down the length of the door falling to a pile on the floor. He cradled his head in his hands and stifled his sobs.
Why was his life such a goddamn mess?

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