Random OneShots

Richie, the patient! Pt.1

By: ReddieFangirl on Ao3

Reddie

~~~~

Feeling this horrible wave of nausea, Richie didn't want to get out of bed that morning shielding his achy eyes from the sunshine that drifted in from the curtains. His glasses felt unusually heavy when he lifted them off his nightstand and put them on his face. Sitting up, and rubbing his aching temple, Richie noticed that the other side of the bed was vacant. From out in the kitchen, he heard Eddie talking on the phone. Based on the stress in his voice, he was most likely talking on the phone to Myra.

Hauling himself out of bed, Richie felt heavy. Standing on his jello legs was too much when normally it was so easy. Similar to the nights when he had too much to drink in his after-parties after successful shows, he had a bad headache the next morning. Hardly aware of what he was dressing in, all Richie could focus on was the performance today. Along with the funky taste in his mouth. Must have forgotten to brush his teeth last night.

Making his way to the kitchen, it felt like he was giving an elephant a piggyback ride. Because his mind was so foggy, Richie tried to remember what he did last night. No, he didn't have a show last night.

For the first time in ages, he had the night off. So, did Eddie. While Eddie was working on his studies, Richie retired to bed early. His stomach felt weird. It still did. Richie just hoped that Eddie came to bed instead of pulling yet another all-nighter.

"Myra, can we talking about this later?" Eddie held the phone to his ear, poured a cup of coffee, and slipped through his agenda which was filled to the brim. He barely had time to breathe. Eddie decided to go back to school to become a teacher, a calling he should have gone for. If he wasn't going through this prolonged divorce bullshit he could enjoy it a little better.

Coffee. That would wake him up. Richie didn't even feel like eating anything. Just the thought of food made him nauseous. Ugh, the coffee smell made him want to gag.

Eddie already made him some eggs. He didn't have to do that. Eddie did so much for him. Feeling like he'd collapse to the ground at any second, Richie sat in a chair. His eyes felt so heavy. Opening them a smidge, he just noticed that dark circles surrounding his boyfriend's eyes before Richie shut his eyes quickly, trying to suppress the pain in his cranium.

"I don't have much time, Myra! We're having problems with the car and I have to take it in this morning..." Oh, Eddie just had to remind him of that. It was worse enough that they only had one car, but the car had to stop working right when Eddie was at a stoplight yesterday. Eddie did not need that, especially with how on-edge he'd been for the last three weeks over upcoming midterms. "Myra, we already discussed months ago that you're taking both cars!"

Six months. That's how long this divorce has been going on for. In the meantime, Eddie was busy going to school while working part-time. And he was still recovering from his injury. Some days the pain was so great, but he kept moving forward. That was Eddie.

Taking one bite of his eggs, Richie didn't want to eat anymore. His cell phone dinged.

Steve: The limo will be at your house in fifteen minutes. Be ready.

Today was the Comedian Face Off Show. Richie had been waiting weeks, preparing the best jokes and under the bus comments against one of his greatest competitors in the comedy world. He could finally smoke her for burning him in one of her bits. But, he didn't feel like doing that. To be honest, he didn't know how to form words right now.

Eddie feverishly stacked all his books into a school bag, checking his watch. "I have to go, I will talk to you later!" And Eddie hung up on her when she was in mid-sentence. He made a loud groan, crushing his head into a chair. Richie felt so bad for him. If only his arms didn't feel like cement, he'd reach out and give his arm a comforting touch.

"I know what you are going to say, she's doing this just to get back at me. But, Rich, it's all going to end soon." Eddie took another deep breath. He noticed that Richie was being strangely quiet, but he went on with his rant anyway.

"So, this one teacher gives like three assignments for the weekend; all essays! I think college has changed since I have been there. I going to the library 'til noon, then I have to to go work. It might be until seven tonight, but I'll check..."

As much as Richie loved listening to Eddie, this morning he was getting a horrible headache. Ugh, his stomach lurched. Pressing his hand against his stomach, Richie felt warm. Didn't Eddie notice? He always noticed when something was off.

No, he couldn't alert him of whatever this was. It was probably nothing. Eddie had far too much on his plate. Richie couldn't put something else over his shoulders. Besides, he had to put these worries aside and get psyched for his big show today.

His phone dinged again. Struggling to get his phone out of his pocket, the words swirled in Richie's vision. Making sure that he was wearing his glasses, a car honked out front. His ride was here. Eddie's phone rang again. Myra.

Richie struggled out of his seat. Was this forty? Okay, forty-one. He put the plate of barely eaten eggs into the sink. Eddie noticed.

"Rich?" Eddie struggled to catch up, picking up his heavy bag, but to his luck he dropped a book. Myra continued to talk his ear off as he bent over, jolting from the pain. No wonder Richie wasn't talking. And he always ate his breakfast. The way Richie was dragging his feet, and supporting himself against the wall was very unusual.

Dragging his feet along the ground, and grabbing a light jacket, Richie placed a hand over his stomach, listening to it making this strange gurgling noises. Once he got outside the rays from the sun hurt his eyes, making him squint. Either he was feverish or the L.A. sun was kicked up a notch today.

"Hey, Richie! Wait for a second!" Eddie begged, locking the door in the process. Richie took off down the stairs, hiding his face, and stuffing his hands inside his pockets. He wanted Eddie to look at him more than anything; to have his hand touch his forehead, or to just make him rest for one day so they could spend some time together. "Are you okay?"

I don't want to worry you, Eds, but could you stop me and feel my head, please? "Yes."

Oh no, was Richie mad that he was skipping out on another one of his shows? He was never mad, but Eddie felt terrible. Feeling a sting of guilt in his stomach, Eddie realized that they never kissed each other goodbye. Was it his imagination or did Richie look pale?

"Okay, I love you!" Eddie called after his boyfriend somberly before he had to return to his call with Myra. Whenever Richie stuffed his hands into his pockets that meant that something was the matter. It still wasn't easy for him to talk about his feelings. Oh, speaking of which, it was their six month anniversary tomorrow! And he had to work...

Richie lied down in the backseat of the limo once they were far enough away from his house. His stomach churned. Oh, please, let this pass? Today was going to be big.