Life Is Short, Like Eddie (1990 Reddie)

Chapter 4

( TW, slurs, offensive terms, etc.)

  Richie was sitting on his couching, watching TV with Stan. Richie'd been at Bill's for quite awhile before leaving, and when he was about to leave, Stan offered to go with him. It was a tad bit unusual, but Richie excepted the company.

  Stan shifted on the couch, looking around to make sure Richie's parents weren't home yet. " Hey Rich, you ever feel like you're... being watched..?" He said quietly, almost missing Richie's attention. Richie quickly got up and turned the TV off. This caused Stan to look down and away from Richie. " What'd you say Stan?" Richie spoke in a calm voice.

  Stan peered up at him and sighed. " Do you ever feel like you're being watched." Stan blurted out, looking down again. Richie only sat there looking at him. " You know what!? This was-" " Yeah, I do Stan. Every day and every night. It's an inescapable feeling that I have every second of my life. It only vanishes when I'm with the group and you." Richie called, soothing the worry in Stan's mind. Stan only glanced up at him. A smile bit at his lips.  " You know, you aren't always a trashmouth, sometimes you're very poetic." Stan chuckled, sitting up straighter. This caused a smile to grace Richie's face.

  The two sat there for a moment, this time it was Richie's turn to inadvertantly confess something. " Hey Stany, we've been friends for years, right?" Stan nodded at his question. " Yeah? What is it Rich?" Stan spoke. Richie awkwardly shifted, not able to find the words. " Well there's this person, that I like.." Richie began. "Woah Richie, I'm flattered but-" " What? No! It's not you." Richie awkwardly whined, looking down abruptly.

  " It's just, this person... I don't think they like me back, y'know?" Richie tried to get out. Stan nodded, " Trust me, I know." Richie slightly smiled. " Well, firstly you know this person, but if I were to ask them out, well, if they said no that'd just ruin things.." Richie rambled, his hands moving every which way.

  Stan's eyes followed Richie as he moved around. " I like them, but.. Well.. I'm scared they'll make fun of me and end up being my new Bowers.." Richie sighed, throwing his hands into his lap. Stan lightly patted Richie on the back. " I'm sure it's okay Richie. Who could it possibly be to cause you this much worry? If it's Bev you know she'd-" " It's not Bev." Richie cut him off, not even wanting to think about trying to get with Bev the same time as Ben. She's beautiful, sweet, and athletic, Richie would date her, sure, but she's Ben's in his eyes.

  Stan sat back glancing around before landing his attention on Richie. " Can you atleast tell me who it is?" Stan sighed, leaning forward. Richie looked at him before turning away. " I want to Stan, I do, but... I'm scared Stan.. I'm scared you'll hate me and- and-" That's when Stan realized, Richie was crying.

  " Hey! Hey! Richie don't cry! It's okay! There's nothing you could do to make me hate you!" Stan called, scooting closer to Richie, laying a hand on his back. Stan could feel Richie chuckle a little under his touch. " Are- are you sure..?" Richie spoke in an almost whimper. Stan nodded, " The only way you'd make me hate you is if you became a Nazi, I'd prefer not to die y'know." This really caused Richie to laugh. " There's no way I'd do that to you Stany." Richie smiled, glaning up at an also smiling Stan.

Richie sighed, looking down. " You don't have to talk about it though, we can talk later if you want Rich." Stan said, sitting back. Richie shook his head. " I gotta get it out now, I've already delayed it long enough." Richie said, sitting up. Stan looked at him with an expecting gaze. " You promise you won't hate me..?" Richie whimpered, slouching again. Stan laughed, " I promise Rich!"

  Richie leaned against the couch and muttered. Stan looked at him. " It's.." Richie looked away, " It's Eddie.." Stan let out a soft laugh. Richie looked at him, feared laced in his eyes. " Is that all Rich? God I thought it was going to be someone awful-" Stan was now laughing, thoufh he didn't mean to. " Wha- What do you mean?! You... you don't think I'm a pansy faggot..?" Richie stuttered out. Stan shook his head, " Rich, I've know you've liked Eddie for years. It's obvious when you two are together!" Stan smiled, looking Richie dead in the eyes, " And you are not a pansy or a faggot. You're one of the nicest, funniest, and steong minded people I know Rich, and I'm honored to be your friend."

Richie almost cried again. Hearing those words from Stan brought him joy. Richie lunged forward and pulled Stan into a death hug. Then, he did start to cry. " Thank you Stan, honest to god thank you." He said, squeezing Stanley tight. " Easy Rich, don't crush me!" Stan laughed, hugging Richie back. Richie shook his head. " I'm going to hug you, and you're going to like it." The two laughed, slifing away from eachother.

" If you ever need to talk Rich I'm here for you, and I know Bev would be too." Stan said,moving some hair out of his face. Richie nodded and chuckled. " Oh I'm going to have to Bev next, aren't I?" He smiled, shaking his head. Stan laughed, " Yeah you are, you're lucky she likes your ass." Stan smiled. Richie nodded, " I sure am."

The two dat there another moment, Richie stopped crying and now was now zoning out. Stan sat there and took a look around, then at the time. " Hey Rich, I gotta get going, but if you need anything you know where I live." Stan called, getting up from the couch. Richie nodded, " You know I do Stan." Stan smiled and headed to Richie's front door. " See you in awhile Rich." " Yeah, you too Stan, you too." Richie smiled.