Tight-Knit Family| Richie Tozier

15-

Still August 1990 (tw- slurs. Homophobia)

Eddie and Richie had managed to keep their relationship secret for two weeks. They stole secret kisses and explored one another when Richie's parents were out. They cuddled during the night and they were loving every second together. Part of them wished they didn't have to hide, but alas, Derry was homophobic so they couldn't let their secret slip.

The two lie in the hammock in the clubhouse, both reading a comic that Richie's holding. The losers give knowing looks and smile. It's obvious they know about Richie and Eddie from the way they look at one another. Plus the random hickeys they both seemed to have on their necks. Eddie played it off by saying he'd been with a girl but Richie had just said he'd fallen over. Their friends knew what had happened though, but the boys didn't know that.

It comes time for everyone to leave, but Eddie and Richie stay put. They've fooled around in the clubhouse before, even with Eddie complaining that it's unsanitary. But, today, they just cuddle, Eddie leaning his head on Richie's chest as he reads the comic aloud, playing with Eddie's blonde hair. The losers had approved of it and Eddie was starting to really like it.

"Okay, admit it. There's something going on between you both!" Comes a voice, making them jump. It's Stanley and he's climbed back down into the clubhouse." I know you and Richie had a moment two weeks ago. I told him to admit his feelings so...did he?"

"Yes." Eddie replies.

"And?" Stan asks, hands on his hips. Richie and Eddie glance at one another." I won't tell anyone. We've all been best friends since time began. You can trust me, I promise!"

"We've been dating in secret for the past two weeks." Richie admits and Stanley smiles." Please don't tell anyone."

"I won't. I promise. Just glad you had the balls to do something about it. God the pining got boring." Stan chuckles. Richie smiles and kisses Eddie's temple." You guys are really cute, y'know that?"

"Wish the rest of the town felt the same." Eddie mumbles. Richie holds onto his tightly and Stan nods.

"Hey, there's a part tonight at Eddie Corcoran's, you guys going?" He asks. Eddie and Richie glance at one another and then back at Stan.

"Sure." Richie replies, Eddie confirming with a smile and a nod.

-
Richie sits on the edge of his bed, strumming on his guitar gently with a smile. He looks up when Eddie enters the room, the shorter boy just wearing his boxers, a towel around his shoulders and his blonde hair dripping wet. Richie smiles even wider.

"Hmm can I borrow this for tonight?" Eddie asks, turning to Richie and holding up a Beatles t-shirt. Richie smiles and nods. Eddie grins and then puts on some jeans before rubbing his hair with a towel. Richie gets off of his bed and wraps his arms around Eddie's waist, making him chuckle.

"Sorry, you looked so hot, I had to." Richie mumbles, kissing down Eddie's shoulder, which is still wet from the shower. He kisses along to a spot on his neck, which makes Eddie shiver slightly." Oh, you liked that?"

"Shut up, dickwad." Eddie laughs, turning around and pressing a kiss on Richie's lips gently. He pulls away and Richie grins." Play me a song whilst I get dressed?"

"Sure thing." Richie whispers. Eddie chuckles and goes back to Richie's closet to find a jacket. Richie grabs his guitar and thinks of a song to play for a split second before he begins.

"Oh wow. Frankie Valli, my dad's favourite." Eddie says with a small smile, Richie grinning as he plays. 

"You're just too good to be true. Can't take my eyes off of you. You'd be like Heaven to touch. I wanna hold you so much. At long last, love has arrived. And I thank God I'm alive. You're just too good to be true. Can't take my eyes off of you. Pardon the way that I stare. There's nothin' else to compare." Richie plays and sings, staring at Eddie as he throws on his shirt. Eddie laughs at him and goes back to searching for a jacket."!The sight of you leaves me weak. There are no words left to speak. But if you feel like I feel. Please let me know that it's real. You're just too good to be true. Can't take my eyes off of you."