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t w e n t y f o u r

"i promise, it'll be fine."

eddie is attempting to convince both himself and will of this as they sit in will's parked vehicle, eyes glued to the restaurant that their friends wait for them in. when they'd been invited out, eddie had initially decided against going; he'd been through a lot recently, and the previous night he'd cried himself to sleep in will's shoulder. when he'd awoken, he had been feeling out of it, and wasn't really looking to go out that night. but will, with the best intentions, had convinced him that maybe the interaction with their friends would help.

when eddie had disagreed a second time, trying to explain that he wanted to just stay back and relax, will had insisted that they go, or he'd remain home to keep eddie company. and while this offer was kind, it didn't really seem too genuine, and, fuelled by guilt, the smaller boy had given in and agreed to go out.

now, as they get out of the car to meet everyone, he's reminded why he didn't want to go. he's already sick to his stomach. he hadn't eaten anything in almost two days, and his appetite is nonexistent. on top of that, he hadn't really spoken to anyone aside from will, and so he's beyond nervous of confronting them, especially after his and richie's breakup.

"what if they notice that something is off?" eddie asks at the last minute as he holds the door open.

will brushes the question off with a shake of his head, leading them inside. "they won't. they already thought you and richie were broken up, even when you weren't. the only difference now is that it's true."

before eddie can respond, their friends spot them, and he has to force a smile, will's words stinging. he'd not yet come to terms with his break up with richie, and the thought of it still nauseates him. he hates how easily will is able to speak of it when he himself can't even begin to accept it.

"i feel like i haven't seen you in forever," someone says, and eddie is then being tugged into a tight hug by bev, who smiles brightly.

there's a bit of a chuckle and then will's hand is clamped down on eddie's shoulder the moment that he separates from his friend. attention shifts to him, his tone a bit louder so he can be heard by the others when he says, "that's because he's been staying with me."

eddie's face flushes in embarrassment. he hadn't planned on telling anyone that. especially richie. his relationship with will is strictly platonic, but his boyfriend – excuse me, ex boyfriend – hadn't believed that, and so he worries that the information won't be well received.

as expected, richie is fuming immediately. he looks furious, but no one is paying attention to him aside from eddie. everyone watches as will laughs again and pulls eddie closer in a half hug, while eddie tries to signal to rich that it's not what it looks like.

he's unsuccessful. richie doesn't even give him a second look.

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rereading my books and falling back in love with the shit i write/am planning on writing >>