We Are Good

Chapter Three

They plummeted through the air quickly never losing a grip on each other's hands. Eddie screamed just as they hit the water. The water was fast and freezing. It was hard to swim with one hand but Eddie did it, he wasn't loosing Richie. His legs were numb by the time he reached the surface. Richie came up seconds after, both gasping for air.

"HOLY FUCK!" Richie breathed out. He went to let go of Eddie like they said, but Eddie didn't want to. He was freaking out actually. "Eddie come on we have to move, we're right here come on." He pulled Eddie's hand, swimming to the side of the quarry with the path. Eddie breathed slowly trying to calm down. He let go of Richie and began to swim beside him, it wasn't fair to make Richie drag him. He kicked after him lagging behind, he was smaller after all. And numb.

"Chee!" he gasped. He was very, very tired and his lungs were starting to burn. Shit my inhaler. Richie was at the shore now, ringing his clothes. Eddie was so close. But not close enough. Richie couldnt here him, his voice was low and hoarse, he couldn't breathe. He built up everything he could, breathing in the pain, "RICHIE!" He screamed my head going under again. Why did he let go? It was calmer over here, he should've been fine, but asthmas a bitch. He started to see stars now, he wondered if this was it, if the last thing he'd see was Richie's wet freckled face, hair plastered to his forehead, calling out his name, jumping in to save him. It's too late. he thought as he went under. I'll never know if he was different.

Seconds later he was being pulled up by his arm pits, being dragged to shore. He was coughing, begging for air. He couldn't breathe he needed his inhaler.

"Fuck Eds, hold on. Please hold on." Richie went into his zipper pocket and pulled out Eddie's inhaler, placing it to Eddie's mouth. How did he get my inhaler? Eddie breathed in when he pushed the trigger and he felt better already. It took 4 to breathe normally again.

He sat up, Richie sat beside him watching him nervously. "I'm ok." Eddie said running his hands through his hair. "Freezing, but ok."

"i'm so sorry." Richie said taking off his jacket. "I shouldn't of let go." He whispered. He put his jacket around Eddie's shoulders. "It's wet but it'll help with installation." He stood up and sat on a big rock.

Eddie couldn't help but laugh. He put a hand over his mouth and let out a snort. Richie looked at him like he was crazy for a few seconds before he began to laugh too.

"Chee," Eddie said between giggles. "We almost died and it was the most fun I've had ..... well ever." He laughed again before stopping a little. "We shouldn't of let go boo-hoo. We're ok right?" Richie smiled and nodded. "Thank you for the jacket... I don't know how you stayed so warm..." He said sliding his arms into the sleeves.

"It's cause I'm so hot." He replied with a wink.

Eddie rolled his eyes in response, though he was smiling, but he was still confused, "How'd you get my inhaler?"

"I took it from your back pocket before we jumped." He turned his head away and Eddie could've sworn he was blushing.

"What?" Eddie asked. "How did I not notice that."

"I got fast hands." He replied without hesitation. Eddie was going to kill him. Eddie felt very very different right now. Stop Eddie silently begged him. He closed his eyes as if when he opened them Richie would be gone and this all was some sick dream.

"Eddie... you sure you're ok?" Richie asked quietly.

"No." Eddie said before he could stop himself. "I mean I'm physically fine yea sure wonderful, but I am messed up chee. my-" He hesitated. If he was going to talk about this with anyone it would be Richie. "My mom sucks. Like actually really fucking sucks. She- she doesn't like me, not really anyways. Sure she loves me but she hates the person I am. She hates how- how different I am." Eddie looked at him now trying to convey his thoughts through their eye contact.

"Weren't you just telling me that all the bad things make me good and blah blah" Richie said.

"Richie I'm being serious, here."

"I know so am I Eds, you're perfect because you're different. I'm not joking, not even a little." He said looking kind of angry.

"Chee, you don't -" He stopped himself feeling like throwing up.

"Yes I do Eddie. Yes I do. I completely understand. My family sucks, always has and always will. I'm different. Too different. They've called me every insult, word, or slur you can think of because how different I am." He stood up and walked over to Eddie, sitting in front of him criss cross. "Look we've both been through shit no one should ok? It's because we're different and that's ok. Don't let anyone tell you it's not ok. Not even your own mother. You're perfect Eddie Kaspbrak and I swear to god-" He stopped. looking into Eddie eyes with a look Eddie knows well, but with something more this time. He grabbed eddies face in his hands. Eddie's breath hitched and he didn't know what to do. Eddie didn't know if Richie knew how much what he was saying meant to him. He instinctively leaned into his touch, and reached up to hold Richie's wrists. Richie's leaned forward, leaning their foreheads against each other's. Eddie felt alive. He's never felt more alive than today and he knows it's because of Richie, because of how different he feels about him. Eddie started to make small circles with his thumbs on Richie's hand, much like Richie did hours ago to him. They were just looking at each other now, eyes locked and content, foreheads no longer touching but inches apart.

"Rich?" Eddie asked quietly.

"Hmm?" He replied. He was distracted, he wasn't looking at Eddie's eyes anymore. His eyes were glued to Eddie's lips, he lifted his thumb and traced it over the outline of Eddie's mouth almost in a trance. He didn't stop, just kept touching Eddie's lips. When Eddie went to speak, his thumb traced his bottom lip, landing on his chin.

"Do you know what I mean when I say I'm different?" Eddie asked, now dazed too.

"Yea Eds, I think I do." He said leaning back slightly as if to look at him better.

Eddie was shocked, but some how this wasn't as scary as he thought. He wanted to talk to Richie and tell him everything. "Why didn't you ask me? Or- or say anything?"

"I think," He hesitated, letting his hands drop in his lap, Eddie still holding his wrists. He adjusted their hands to be more comfortable, intertwined and warm. "I think for the same reason you never asked me if I was different." It took Eddie a second to understand what exactly Richie had just said, and when it clicked he launched himself at Richie engulfing him in a hug. His arms were tight around his neck, Richie's hands around his waist. Eddie was once again on his lap, legs around his waist. He felt warm even though his bones still ached with the cold of the quarry water. Eddie held him firmly, running his fingers through Richie's wet curls, as he rested his head on Eddie's shoulder, nose in the crook of his neck. It was perfect, Richie was perfect and Eddie was going to explode. Of course this didn't necessarily mean he felt different about Eddie, but at least his best friend understood, at least they had a chance.

Just then, rustling came from the path beside them. It sounded like people running. Richie lifted his head quickly in the direction of the noise squinting because he still didn't have his glasses on. Eddie saw flashlights in the distance and slowly stood up. He tip-toed to a bush near the path to see if he could see who was coming. Richie was right behind him squinting and Eddie couldn't help but laugh.

"Chee, here oh my god." he laughed, digging in Richie's jacket to get his glasses and hand them to him.

"Thanks" Richie said with a fake smile.

Before Eddie could tease or reply someone shouted.

"BILL OH MY GOD THEY'RE ALIVE!" Yelled Beverly, running towards them. "And ... wet uck" She said making a stinky face. "You two have some explaining to do."