Chapter Text
Rays of sun on skin as the Losers sat together in a forest clearing. Eddie and Stan were standing and joking with Richie. Beverly, and Bill were talking while Ben was reading a book beside them. Richie walked over to Ben.
“Ben, Ben, Ben. Reading during Summer? Willingly?” Richie said as he sat down (uninvited) next to him. “What could be so interesting about it that you're ignoring friends?”
Ben sighed, “It's just more Derry history. You know I find it interesting.”
“Seriously?” Now Richie seemed confused, less teasing of Ben's reading. “You're still reading that stuff after... Everything?”
Beverly looked over at them. She rolled her eyes at him. “Give it a rest, Richie. Don't remind him.” She stood up, sitting next to Ben with her legs tucked under her. “I find it interesting, Ben.” She tilted the book to read over his shoulder.
Richie was already bored. Mike finally arrived on his bike, setting it against a tree.
Stan walked over. “Finally! What took you so long?”
Now everyone was occupied with each other. Everyone except Richie and Eddie. Richie stood up and walked to Eddie. Bill almost immediately sat in Richie’s previous spot.
“It's so boring today, I miss when we hung out at the quarry or even in town.” Richie said to him as he walked closer. “Wanna go do something fun?”
“What about the other Losers? They might get pissed off if we leave randomly.” Eddie asked, looking at Mike and Stan.
“I doubt they'd notice for a while.” Richie followed his gaze, then looked back at Ben. Bev was still reading with him while Bill did the same. “Come on, we'll go for a walk in the forest. It's hot and boring here.”
“...Alright.”
--
After around 10 minutes of exploring the forest, they decided to walk to the base Ben made a few weeks ago. Richie lifted the wood to open it, gesturing and bowing to Eddie. “Ladies first,” He said with a grin.
Eddie rolls his eyes and pushes Richie. Gently. Richie fakes shock and pretends to fall in the base. He lands on his feet and holds his hand up for Eddie.
“Need any help, princess? I know you don't like getting dust on you.”
“Shut up, Richie.” Eddie said while climbing down the ladder.
Richie walked to the red hammock, basically jumping in and crossing his legs. “At least we have the hammock to ourselves!”
Eddie pulled the door down and crossed his arms after turning to him. “What about me then, dumbass?”
“Well, we can always cuddle up together if you want~” Richie obviously teased. “I'm not moving my ass, I just got comfortable!”
“Asshole,” Eddie muttered. He walked over to the hanging lamp and turned it on. “Do you think we should have told Ben at least?”
Richie shrugged. “He won't even know. Unless you want to tell him.”
“Well, he wouldn't be mad. Right?” Eddie said, sitting on top of Richie's legs on the hammock. Richie tried to kick him off, but gave up.
“You're scared Ben will be mad? Seriously, Eds. I've never even seen Ben mad.” Richie said as he sat up next to Eddie, who stood up for a second while Richie shifted his legs over the side of the hammock. Their shoulders bumped gently.
Eddie sighed as he elbowed Richie's arm. “Any of them might be mad, we snuck off.”
“Well, would you be mad if Bill and Beverly snuck off?” Richie replied as he leaned down. He rested one elbow on his knee, chin in his palm as he glance up at Eddie.
Eddie's face grew hot. He glared at Richie. “That's different. Bill and Beverly are dating. I wouldn't be mad if they needed some couple time.”
“And what about best friend time?”
Eddie didn't respond.
“Or maybe our couple time?” Richie said. He was joking, of course. But he was still hesitant to say it.
Eddie scoffed. “Yeah, like couples shove and insult each other.”
Richie laughed quietly, more like a chuckle. “I'm still so distraught you pushed me down!”
“Yeah, I can definitely tell by your tone.” Eddie said sarcastically.
--
Both of them spent around an hour in the base, just talking.
Until a different topic came up.
“...Hey, Richie?”
“Yeah?” Richie asked, looking at him.
“Bowers and the others always bullied all of us. Even Bev.” Eddie started, moving so his shoulder wasn't against Richie's anymore. “They always bullied us for... Being gay. Or not man enough. And it's just... If either of us are anything they bullied us for...”
Richie looked confused, and put his arm around Eddie's shoulder. “Losers stay together. I'll always be here for you, Eds.”
Eddie smiled at him. It was quiet for a few minutes. He leaned into Richie--who's heart basically stammered in his chest, and he moved his arm around Eddie's front. Eddie fiddled with his fanny pack in front of him. With Richie's arms around him, he didn't know where to put his.
“...Thanks,” He said.
Richie looked confused. “For what?”
“Being here for me, I guess. And not making a joke out of it.” Eddie sighed, shifting so his head was on Richie's shoulder and his legs were up against the hammock end. “You've been acting different.”
Richie cleared his throat as he pulled his arms away. “Different?”
“I mean less of an asshole. Today, at least.”
Richie let out a sharp laugh. His smile didn't reach his eyes fully. “That's a nice way to put it, Eds.”
Eddie looked up at him, really looked at him. Richie felt a pounding at the back of his hot-feeling head. He looked away, at the lamp Eddie earlier turned on.
“Richie, I know when something's going on with you.” Eddie bumped his shoulder lightly. He just needed Richie's attention.
Richie crossed his arms. “I don't know. I think I'm just not used to being alone, even if you're still here. We always hang with the Losers, y'know?”
“I guess I get it. Maybe this topic is just specially hard on you.”
“Eddie...” Richie said seriously, turning to look at him. “About being bullied and what you said earlier. I have to tell you something.”
“Tell me. I'll be here for you, you said you'd be for me.”
Richie sighed. “I'm... I'm gay, Eddie. I know it was probably obvious, but I just...” He rubbed one of his watering eyes, then dropped his hand back down on his lap. His body felt heavy, his chin pointed down. “I've been hiding it for years. But I was still bullied for it. It's stupid...”
Eddie took Richie's hand in his on their laps. “It's not stupid, Rich. I know how it feels to have to hide it.”
“You do?” Richie's hand was warm, almost sweating against the others.
“Oh- It's just because... Uh..” Eddie blushed and tried to pull his hand away. Richie held his hand tight, then moved to rest their hands up between them both. “Rich?” He spoke so softly, it was almost a gasp for air.
Richie leaned close, and he kept moving until Eddie felt his beating heart, could almost his breath. Likely the potato chips he ate earlier. He didn't know what Richie was doing until he felt his lips against his own, and his glasses just barely bumped Eddie's cheek.
Eddie's eyes were wide. Richie quickly pulled away, as if he was only just made aware of what he had done. His face was warm, palms sweaty. “Shit, Eddie, I'm sorry! I thought um, I'm not good at chemistry so...”
Eddie laughed quietly, “You're such a dork...”
Richie felt butterflies at Eddie's genuine laugh. “What- you're laughing at me? I just came out to you...” He pouted.
“That was my first kiss, by the way...” Eddie admitted shyly, glancing up at Richie. “Your glasses hit me a little too.”
“Oh, I probably should take them off next time...” Richie gave an embarrassed laugh. “It was my first too...”
“You're planning for a next time?” Eddie asked him with a teasing grin.
Richie was quiet. Then, “Do you want there to be?”
“I wouldn't be opposed. If you ever asked...”
“Then,” Richie stood up from the hammock, holding a hand out for Eddie—just like earlier. “I should've asked years ago.”
Eddie took his hand and got up. “I would've let you.”
--
“Where the fuck have you been?!” Stanley asked after catching them in town.
Richie and Eddie were biking back home, not expecting any of the Losers to be out still. They all were, and they saw each other.
“We were in the forest,” Eddie replied to him.
Bev side eyed him. “It's been almost two hours! It's 3:17.”
Richie checked his watch quickly, them turned to Eddie. “Shit. I didn't notice. Did you?”
“You're the only one with a watch, dumbass!” Eddie said, and Richie realized with a dumb 'oh'.
“Guys, don't argue. We should ju- just go home.” Bill said as he grabbed his bike from the wall.
Mike nodded. “I might get in trouble if I'm out past 4.”
“Same here after last month.” Eddie said sadly. “My mom's always been protective, but after I broke my arm... I'm lucky to even be in the vicinity of Rich and Beverly anymore.”
“Your mom's a bitch.” Richie huffed and slid his leg over his bike. “It's gotta be some form of abuse to raise you like that.”
Beverly shrugged. “There's nothing any of us can do about it.” Bill held her hand. He was closest to Beverly, he probably knew more about her than any other Loser.
Eddie sighed, and Richie wanted nothing more than to hug and comfort him.
They all got on their bikes and started to ride to their homes. They all agreed to meet at the quarry tomorrow, which Richie suggested.
Eddie waved from the porch as Richie walked him to the doorstep. He couldn't resist giving Eddie a kiss on the cheek, which made him flustered. He was nervous his mom would see. Of course. But Richie couldn't worry when such a kissable face stood right in front of him. Eddie would tease him if he admitted that, though. Richie wasn't soft.
As Richie flopped onto his bed at night, all he could think about was what happened in the base. Eddie teased him, comforted him, hugged him...
All of the things he'd been wishing of for years. And tomorrow, maybe he could convince Eddie to sneak off again. After the quarry of course.