【Ｍｅｓｓａｇｅｓ ＡＵ】- Reddie

25 - Arcade Games

Warning: f slur = Bowers 

It was 3'o clock, Richie was waiting for Eddie at the Arcade. He wondered if the boy had lied, and just wanted Richie to feel better. Honestly, Richie didn't know what was going on in Eddie's head anymore. 

Richie was broken out of his thoughts when he saw Eddie approach him, 

"hey Richie". He said, trying to make his voice louder. 

Richie was confused as to why Eddie invited him here, especially considering the fact fun wasn't fun for Eddie anymore. 

"Earth to Richie-". 

Richie looked at the shorter boy. It wasn't long until they graduated, he just wanted them to have as much fun as possible. 

"Sorry Eddie, let's go!" Richie smiled. 

Pulling Eddie along behind him, as he ran over to his favourite game, Streetfighter. 

"Streetfighter? Seriously?" Eddie asked, rolling his eyes. 

Richie laughed, "It's only the best game here Ed's!" 

Eddie sighed, inserting a coin and battling Richie to win the game. Of course, Richie won, triumphantly yelling his victory, he grabbed Eddie's arm again taking him to see the other games. 

"Your good at sports right?" Richie asked, showing Eddie a basketball shooter game. 

"Basketball and running are two very different things..." Eddie added, attempting to get a basketball in the hoop. 

Richie helped, throwing in a couple of the balls but missing every short. He groaned, throwing the ball so hard it bounced off the board and into his face. 

"Fuck!" Richie shouted as he fell to the ground. 

Eddie looked down, helping Richie up to his feet. 

"You ok?" Eddie questioned, hoping he wouldn't have to take Richie to the hospital. 

Richie nodded, with his goofy smile as they earned 4 points for Eddie's accidental shot. The two boys bought cotton candy as Richie wanted to play one more game before they left. 

Richie was about to tell Eddie about the special claw game until a familiar face barged into the Arcade. The whole place went silent, murmurs filling the air. 

"Well if it isn't the two faggots!" Bowers spat into Richie and Eddie's faces. 

The people around them continued murmuring. 

"Heard you went to conversion therapy Kaspbrak, how'd that go? Did you get the gay fucked off of you?" Henry Spat. 

Richie lost it at the mention of the therapy, especially considering the fact Eddie's recovery had been going so well. 

"You can't say much Bowers! Considering the fact you've been in that hell hole too!" Richie shouted back, glaring at Henry. 

Henry's eyes widened, his fists clenched into tight balls as he glared back down at Richie, 

"You'll regret that Tozier-" Henry said, holding his fist high into the air

"Stop!" Eddie shouted, standing in front of Richie. 

"Aww is the fag trying to protect his boyfriend?" Henry mocked, 

"Henry, me and Richie aren't even dating! You know because of therapy... I know it's hard to get back to who you were before you were told being gay was wrong. It gets better, you just need friends who can help you. Obviously, you chose violence, which is how you turned into the asshole you are today. So I'd put your fist down and walk out this arcade before both you and Richie fight for no reason". 

Henry put his fist down, he glared turning around and walking out the arcade. 

"That was fucking amazing!" Richie shouted, hugging Eddie tight. 

Eddie didn't smile, he pushed Richie off, giving him another lecture. 

"Don't yay me Richie! You could've gotten yourself killed!" Eddie rambled on, he really was getting better. 

"Sorry, Ed's..." Richie winced, looking down at the ground. 

"It's fine Rich, cmon we should get going". 

"Wait! I have one more game for us to play!" Richie said, his smile growing bigger as he pulled Eddie to a big claw machine where three giant bears were strapped to the glass. 

Richie walked up to the controls, inserting a coin as the claw started moving, Richie moved the arrows left and right. 

"Mind, doing the honours". Richie curtsied, letting Eddie hit the big button that would drop the claw down. 

"Of course trash mouth", Eddie said, hitting the button. 

The claw moved down, holding onto a small yellow bear. Richie groaned in annoyance, 

"One of the sad small one's!" 

Eddie picked up the yellow bear, his eyes looking at it. He held it close to his chest, he felt a smile appear on his face. 

Richie turned to him, shocked to see Eddie smiling. Richie's heart melted, he hadn't seen Eddie smile in so long. 

"You like it?" He asked, already knowing the answer. 

"I love it Richie!" Eddie shouted, smiling as he hugged Richie. 

Richie was so happy, Eddie had gotten his smile back. It was the best thing Richie could've won at the arcade.