𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐡.

𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰|𝐞&𝐫

[PRESENT DAY]

"He cared so much about you, Eds." Richie said, after a while of him not saying anything. Eddie let go of Richie a bit, and Richie pushed his hair back. Eddie couldn't help but feel disturbed for knowing what he knew, or rather, what he didn't. He felt the rough, but soothing touch of Richie's finger wiping away his tears. It felt like sitting in sand on a beach, and his salty tears were the waves gently rushing across his legs.

Eddie needed to think straight, but he was still intoxicated, and his slightly obstructed vision was giving him a slight headache.

He released from the hug, and slumped down against the wall again. Not being able to carefully pick his words, he rubbed his eyes, and said whatever came to mind. "Richie, I know that you know."

He thought he felt Richie's heart beating still, or maybe it was the bass from the music playing loudly outside. Maybe it was Eddie's own heartbeat, but nonetheless, there was a deep, rhythmic beat playing on a loop.

"Or - I mean, I know there's something you know... Please, I need to know." Eddie looked up at Richie, squinting from the sudden brightness of the overhead light.

"Eddie, what are you talking-"
"Mike told you something. Er, maybe it was Beverly. About Stan. I need to know what it was," Eddie continued, and he saw Richie's face tense up a little. He felt Richie's hand on his head.

"I... love you." Richie said to Eddie. Eddie still felt confused and nauseous. He didn't know what to think. Obviously, it was something Richie didn't want to talk about. He was adamant that there was something he was keeping from him.

"Stanley's gone, and I can't fix that, as much as I wish I could. And you love him." Richie said, taking a break to take a deep breath. "Fuck, probably more than you love me. And it's fine to be sad. Just don't let that feeling consume you." He broke eye contact with Eddie for a moment, and looked at the ground again.

The floor was cold.