Sing to Me Instead ~ Reddie AU

Chapter One - Ease My Mind

"Richie, shut the fuck up. You're disgusting."

"You literally love it Edward."

"No I don't."

"Yes you do."

"Shut up guys! You fight like an old married couple," Bev shouted, slapping both boys on the back of their heads.

"Ow Bevvie!" Ed whined. God Richie thought he was adorable. If only he could tell him that and Eddie would say yes I love you too and then they would kiss and be happy forever.

"Oh, Connor's calling," Eddie said, breaking Richie's heart just a little bit, "How are you baby? Yes I miss you too. Do you wanna hang with me and the rest of the losers? We're at the clubhouse. Oh you can't? Work? It's okay babe, I love you. Talk to you later! Bye."

"Ooh, someone is swooning," Mike nudged Eddie.

"Shut up Mikey, let me live."

Stan the Man shot Richie a subtle, yet pitiful look, and Richie responded by kicking him in the side.

"You know what guys? You all know and love my Voices," Richie began.

"You're lying to yourself," Bill said.

"Anyway, are you ready to meet the one, and only, Mrs. Kasprack!"

"Oh fuking god." Eddie groaned.

"Eddie Bear," Richie droned in a squeaky high-pitched voice, "Oh Eddie, come give your mama a kiss. Oh Eddie come here," and Eddie proceeded to tackle him. It checks out. Richie liked it. This is the closest to physical touch he usually gets from his crush. Eddie is usually tucked into Connor's side. Don't get him wrong, Richie liked Connor. He was a sweet guy, he was just insanely jealous. But suppressing is for winners.

"Anyway losers, it's my birthday next week, and yes we will be having a party right here. Bring your hoes, weed, and plenty of snacks," Bev said.

"Seventeen!" Ben hooted, wrapping his arm around his girlfriend.

...

The rest of the evening ensues and the losers slower depart after a hectic game of truth or dare and party planning. Eddie and Richie are left alone in the clubhouse and get to talking.

"You know Edward Spaghetward, thanks for sticking by me. I know I'm mostly your-mom jokes and lanky limbs but no one puts up with me quite like you."

"Aw Rich," Richie looks over at Eddie, into those adorable, hazel eyes, "You know it's 'cause your mom pays me right?"

Richie stifles a laugh and kicks Eddie. "Well your mom pays me to do a bit more than that."

The two of them talk, tease, and laugh into the night. Finally, around two in the morning, they open the trapdoor and head off their separate ways. Richie watches Eddie bike away before going back down into the clubhouse, grabbing a pen, and walking off home. He thinks back to tonight and how happy Eddie makes him. He scolds himself. Eddie has a boyfriend! And he would never be interested in the 6'2" kid with tons of freckles, no coordination, and the style of an edgy teen/literal grandfather.

Richie takes the pen and starts to scribble away on his arm.

...

"Hey Stanny Boy I need your help," Richie said over the phone, twirling his curly locks in between his fingers.

"What do you need fuckface?"

"You have that, what's it called, the thingy where you can make a beat for a song, right? And editing and shit?"

"Yes Rich, why are you asking? Planning on making some rocking jams?" Stan laughs.

"Why yes actually Urine, I am. Now if I send you the recording of my voice and my acoustic guitar, can you edit it and add percussion and stuff? Sorry this is so last minute, the creativity is flowing my man!"

"Okay okay Richie calm down, I'll make your song and shit, what's it called?"

"Ease My Mind."