【Ｍｅｓｓａｇｅｓ ＡＵ】- Reddie

16 - Don't go

Warnings: Mention of self-harm

(Skip the chapter if you want,  explanation of chapter at the end of page) 

Bev sat alone worried, she had her head in her hands as more and more doctors came to try to help, Richie. She looked up at the clock, trying to see how much longer school was. Only another 20 minutes and the losers would be on their way, only 20 minutes... 

Eddie sat at his desk tapping a pen rapidly, he was worried for Richie. He thought it was all his fault, that Richie had tried to do something horrible because of him. What if he tried to kill himself because of Eddie? It hurt to think about. 

Eventually, the school day ended and all the losers rushed outside on their bikes, cycling to the hospital as quickly as they could. 

Bev stood up, greeting the losers she explained what had happened, 

"I broke into his house, I found him in his room. He was zoned out... he, he was injured". Bev knew she shouldn't mention his cuttings, it wasn't something to be proud of. 

Bev tried to hold back her tears as the losers hugged her with sad smiles. They were all upset, knowing their best friend had gotten hurt, they still didn't know 100% how. 

Eddie felt even more guilty now, Richie had been hurt, it's his fault, Richie was so upset he had gotten himself hurt,  is that what happened!? It wouldn't leave Eddie's mind, the image of Richie sitting on his bed, covered in blood and bruises. 

"It's all my fault! I shouldn't have fought with him!" Eddie shouted, tears filling his eyes. 

The losers looked at him, Stan felt bad for what he had said earlier to Eddie. He knew it wasn't Eddie's fault, deep down. He didn't know what but Richie would never try to hurt himself unless something terrible happened. 

"It's not your fault Eddie, I know Richie. It must have been something else..." 

Stan tried his best to re-assure Eddie but he wasn't sure. Nobody was, honestly when you think you know Richie Tozier he does something that makes you question your friendship. Of course, Richie has worse things to deal with like smoking, his parents, his depression. 

The losers wait hours for the doctors to finish, they all spread across the waiting room. Most of them were in tears, thinking Richie was far gone. Eventually, though the same nurse who looked after Eddie came out and told them they could go in one at a time to see Richie. 

Bev decided to go first, she had found Richie and wanted to make sure what she thought was right. And see Richie alive and ok, she mainly needed that reassurance. 

"Hey Rich".   Bev whispered, entering the room 

"hey".   Richie said back, his throat was hoarse and he sat up in bed. Still weak from blood loss, he had lost a lot and the doctors were still trying to make sure he had all of it replaced, or at least as much as they could. 

"I was so worried about you, we all are. What happened? all I know is that I found you frozen, with... your razor blade".  She admitted as Richie looked at her worried since she knows his secret. 

"Let me explain, just... don't tell them the part about the cuts". 

Bev nodded, sitting beside Richie and waiting for the tallboys explanation, 

"I had gone home, I was crying and upset with Eddie. We got into a fight, and I guess I did go overboard. Anyway, my dad saw me crying and started shouting at me... he took his belt off and made me take off my shirt. He started whipping me with it, calling me things. He then dragged me into my room, locking me in..." Richie admitted, wiping a tear from his eyes. Revealing cuts up and down his arm. 

"Your cuts, how long Rich..." She asked, with a concerned look 

"3 years... I never told anyone. Nobody apart from you knows Bev, you can't tell anyone!" 

Bev completely understood, she wouldn't want everyone knowing if she was cutting herself. She made Richie a promise and told him she could come to him whenever he needed to. 
The pair hugged and Bev remembered the other losers. 

"Their outside waiting, any requests?" She asked, 

"Can I see Eddie..."  Richie whispered, playing with the bedsheets. 

Bev smiled, "Of course Rich". 

Bev left telling Eddie, who looked up with a surprised look and went to see Richie. 

Eddie walked in, feeling guilty at the sight of Richie. He was pale and weak, IV's attached to him and blood bags hanging down. It made Eddie sick, most hospitals had that effect on him. 

"Ed's-" Richie went to speak but was interrupted, Eddie couldn't take it anymore. 

"I'm so sorry Richie! I was a horrible friend, I shouldn't have shouted at you. It wasn't your fault, you can't control how others act towards us and I took my anger out on you. N- Now your hurt and it's all my fucking fault!" Eddie yelled, tears running down his face. 

Richie leaned out of bed, pulling Eddie into a tight embrace. Rubbing circles on his back just like he had down to him. He wiped Eddie's tears, kissing his forehead in an attempt to calm him down. 

"It's not your fault Ed's, my dad hurt me. I ended up fainting". 

Richie tried to explain without mentioning how he lost so much blood, he couldn't tell Eddie. It would drive him away. 

"Should I tell the other losers?" He askes looking up at Richie, 

"Get Bev to tell them, I need to rest now ok Ed's? Just remember, it's not your fault. I don't want you feeling guilty". 

Eddie nodded, leaving, 

"Richie says you can tell them, Bev". 

Bev explains to the loser exactly what Richie had told her, minus his harming. The group was shocked and felt bad for Richie, worse than they originally had. 

The nurse told them Richie needed his rest and they could pick him up the next day, so the group left in silence. Hoping they'd see Richie again. 

(Explanation: 
Basically, Richie had been injured, he tells Bev the whole truth and she keeps his secret. Eddie and Richie talk and Richie tells Eddie it's not his fault and he shouldn't feel guilty, but they're not dating. Bev tells the other losers and they are sad, the nurse tells them Richie needs rest so they leave the hospital)