27 years| Reddie

Sorry seems to be the hardest word

2007

Richie Tozier's day was going about as bad as it possibly could. The 31 year old had woken up hungover yet again, with Steve in bed beside him. He'd guessed they'd slept together after getting drunk. Once they'd sorted that issue out, he'd gotten ready for his show, which had flopped majorly. His material wasn't working any more and he was scared of becoming irrelevant.

"Slight issue." Steve says as Richie sits at the vanity in his dressing room after his show, trying to ward off his migraine.

"What?" Richie groans, slipping his glasses on and turning to Steve, who's standing awkwardly and fiddling with his sleeve." What is it?"

"I may have...accidentally...outed you to your parents." Steve admits and panic sets in for Richie. This is a disaster.

"You what?!" He snaps and Steve jumps slightly.

"I'm a little drunk...not going to lie and I just...ranted to them about not being homophobic and how they should love you for you and they looked a little offended and confused." Steve states and Richie stands up.

"You're a fucking idiot!" He snaps. Steve looks up at him, a little confused." No...I'm an idiot. Fuck! I lied Steve. My parents aren't awful people I just panicked and told you that!"

"Wait what?" Steve asks as Richie pushes past him. He follows the comedian down the hall." You fucking lied to me!"

"No no you don't get to be mad. You just outed me to my parents!" Richie snaps as he rushes down the stairs and out of stage door. The two stop as they see Maggie and Wentworth waiting. Maggie looks panic stricken and Wentworth has his arms crossed sternly. Richie feels like a little kid again, about to be told off by his parents.

"I think we should talk, don't you?" Wentworth asks and Richie has never heard this tone of voice before. It's scary. He nods slowly and walks over to his parents, leaving Steve to stand by himself.

The car ride is silent and Richie feels like a kid again as he stares out of the window, watching the LA scenery go by. His parents are disappointed, he can sense that, and he feels really bad. They arrive at Richie's house and walk inside, going straight to the living room.

"Sit." Wentworth instructs and Richie sits down without saying anything. His dad looks angry and his mom looks upset." So...we're homophobic, are we?"

"No." Richie mumbles in response.

"Bad parents, are we?" Wentworth asks and Richie feels like he's going to cry.

"No." He responds.

"So then, why was Steve under the impression that we are?" Wentworth asks and Richie shrugs. He doesn't want to be yelled at." Richard, look at me when I'm talking to you!"

Richie looks up at his dad, tears filling his eyes, but he's determined not to cry. Wentworth raises an eyebrow and then Richie looks at his mom, who is watching with a look of sympathy on her face.

"Why did Steve think we were bad parents?" Wentworth asks, more softly this time. Richie shakes his head and shrugs, a tear escaping his eye and he wipes it away harshly." Richard, answer me!"

"I-I lied. I'm sorry." Richie replies tearfully." I panicked and lied. I didn't want him to know about how badly I was bullied. I didn't want that shit following me around!"

"SO YOU MAKE US OUT TO BE BAD PARENTS?!" Wentworth yells, making Richie jump. Maggie sighs." WE RAISED YOU BETTER! I EXPECTED BETTER FROM YOU!"

"I'm sorry, I was scared." Richie cries and he can't hold it in anymore. He slowly begins to sob and Maggie sits down next to him, hugging him.