Tight-Knit Family| Richie Tozier

18-

May 1996-

Richie Tozier hated family gatherings. But here he was, sat beside his secret boyfriend, attending his older cousin Jonny's engagement party. Jonny is the son of Andrew, Wentworth's half brother. Eddie smiles up at Richie and Richie grins back, everything in his body willing him to just lean over and kiss Eddie gently. But he doesn't.

"How is finding work going for you, Richie?" His grandpa asks (which is his dads step-dad).

"Umm good. I work as a waiter currently and I'm searching out bars to perform in." Richie replies with a small smile. The family now all lived in LA and Richie was trying to become a comedian whilst Eddie was in college for finance.

"And how is school going for you, Eddie?"Gerald asks. Eddie grins. He really feels like apart of the family. Both the Acasters and the Leigh's are attending; with Maggie, Wentworth and Richie being the only Tozier's.

"It's good...it's fun. I'm just glad we live close by so I don't have to pay for a dorm." Eddie chuckles and Richie kisses his cheek without thinking. The two tense up.

"Uh...sorry I-um." Richie says in a panic, looking to his parents for reassurance. They smile and Richie sighs." I have something I want to tell everyone."

"Are you sure?" Eddie whispers and Richie nods, standing up." Richie...are you 100% sure?"

"Yeah. Yeah I am. Are you?" Richie whispers and Eddie thinks for a second before nodding. Richie smiles.

"Everyone, Richie wants to speak to us all." Gerald says and Richie smiles, thanking him as everyone goes quiet. He's suddenly filled with nerves.

"What is it, Rich?" Marilyn asks with a reassuring smile. Richie takes a deep breath and glances at Eddie, who nods.

"Okay...god. Okay. So I know you all know about those rumours circulating about me...being gay. Um...fuck, okay. So...I just wanted to say that they're...uh, true. So, yeah." Richie says and everyone stares at him." I'm gay and I don't want to keep hiding. I've been hiding for too long."

"Are you sure?" Marlene asks and Richie sighs. He's praying she won't kick up a fuss. Tony is stood and staring at Richie with disgust.

"Yeah I'm sure." Richie says." I'm sure because I've had a boyfriend for the past almost four years."

"Wait what?" Marlene gasps. Maggie and Wentworth smile at one another." Who?"

"Eddie." Tony says and everyone looks at Eddie, who nods and stands up, holding Richie's hand. Everyone 'aww's' apart from Marlene, Luke and Tony.

"Gross that's so wrong." Marlene states. Eddie glances up at Richie, who's eyes twinge with hurt.

"I'm sorry what?" Maggie scoffs. Marlene looks at her." Why does this disgust you? It doesn't matter to you who my son chooses to love, okay? He loves Eddie. So what? It doesn't concern you. He was just telling us because he wanted to let us know."

"And I'm saying that it's wrong." Marlene states. Richie feels his heart sink and tears burn in his eyes.

"We were raised by the same people and yet you turned out so different. To both Marilyn and I." Maggie says angrily." And how dare you treat your own nephew this way! He is your family and family is important-

"Are you okay?" Eddie whispers to Richie as he wipes a tear away. Maggie looks over at him and sighs.

"Listen, I've known that Richie was gay since he was four years old. So has Went. It was no secret to us because he's our son and we know him well." Maggie explains. Richie stands in a stunned silence, wiping his eyes." And I'm not having you make him feel like shit. He's my son and I am so goddamn proud of him."