27 years| Reddie

The Clubhouse

"Every little thing that you say or do, I'm hung up, I'm hung up on you. Waiting for your call, baby, night an day, I'm fed up, I'm tired of waiting on you!" Richie sings as he drives, tapping his fingers against the steering wheel. Eddie glances at him. He knows this is what Richie does to bottle up his feelings and try and cope. There's tears in the comedians eyes. He's clearing thinking of Stan.

"Richie." Eddie says softly and Richie briefly looks at him, flashing a forced smile." It's okay to cry."

Richie sits silently as he parks the car outside of the townhouse. He keeps the engine running for a second, Eddie studying his face, his eyes filling with tears. Richie shuts off the engine and leans his head on his hands, which are firmly gripping the steering wheel. Then he lets out some sobs. Eddie rubs his back comfortingly as his shoulders shake.

"Here." Eddie says, opening the glove compartment and grabbing a tissue from the tissue pack. He hands it to Richie, who sits up and wipes his eyes under his glasses." It's okay, babe. It's okay."

"I can't believe I called him a pussy and he's fucking dead! I'm an ass!" Richie says angrily, calming himself down. Eddie glances out of the window as Ben and Beverly pull up.

"You didn't know." Eddie says, turning back toward Richie." You didn't know he'd passed, honey. It's not your fault. That's just the way you and Stan have always joked around. Don't be angry-

"I want to go home. Come on." Richie says, undoing his seatbelt. Eddie copies and the two get out of the car, slamming their doors shut and rushing across toward the town house, Richie locking their car. Richie pushes open the townhouse door aggressively, Eddie, Ben and Beverly following him in." Let's get our shit and get the fuck out of here!"

"Did you leave your stuff here?" Eddie asks Ben as he follows Richie toward the staircase. Beverly walks off to the bar, Ben glancing at her.

"No my stuffs still in the car." Ben responds, following Beverly whilst Eddie follows Richie upstairs. The two smile at one another and head to Richie's room (that they'd decided to share even if Mike had booked Eddie a room of his own).

Richie grabs his duffle bag and throws in his toothbrush whilst Eddie packs up his two suitcases. Richie watches him as he zips up his bag, chuckling slightly. Eddie glances up at him as he neatly folds a shirt.

"What?" He asks with a blush.

"Nothing. You're just cute." Richie responds and Eddie giggles slightly. Richie walks over and stops him from packing his stuff by grabbing his hands gently." Just throw it in. The sooner we pack, the sooner we leave."

"I can't just throw it in there. It has to be a specific way." Eddie says and Richie kisses his freckles softly. Eddie grins." I love you."

"I love you too." Richie says, pulling away and letting go of Eddie's hands. He grabs his duffel bag and puts it on his shoulder as he heads to the door." See you downstairs?"

"Yeah. Just gotta pack this bag and the toiletries one." Eddie responds with a smile. Richie winks and leaves the room, heading off downstairs to rush Ben and Bev.

He spots them by the bar, having a heated discussion. He doesn't really comprehend a word they're saying, he just knows they need to hurry up so they can leave. He gets downstairs and walks over to them.

"Whatever you guys are talking about, let's make it happen fast, alright, we gotta go!" Richie says and then he turns toward the staircase." EDUARDO, ANDLE, LETS GO!"

"Give me a second, Ricardo!" Comes Eddie's muffled response. Richie grins.

"There's something you're not telling us." Ben says to Beverly." You knew how Stanley died. You knew."