Random OneShots

Dr. K's Cure

By: vexvole on Ao3

Reddie

~~~~~

Eddie always ALWAYS tells Richie to dress up, and Richie dismisses him every time.

"Nah, Eddie, I'm not a baby" or "It's not even cold?" or "Who wears socks in bed, Eds? Are you crazy?" But it didn't take long for his carelessness to bite him back in the ass.

Richie had entered their shared dorm room that Frida y night, tired and sweaty and it was obvious to Eddie that something was wrong. When he asked Richie about it he brushed it off saying: "I just need some rest." When the morning came through, it sure wasn't nothing. Richie was obviously sick.

Richie has a high fever and he can barely move from his spot between the sheets. He is coughing occasionally, and struggling to breath through his nose. And although Eddie scolded him for being an absolute idiot and catching a cold, he takes pity in him. He is pretty knowledgeable in this domain so he starts doing what he knows best.

Eddie helps Richie change his soaking pijamas into something more loose and comfortable. He brings him painkillers and cough syrup and forces him to take all of them even though "This tastes like shit, Eds. You want me to start vomiting too?!" For a sick person he sure is talkative. Eddie brings him wet towels and starts wiping his forehead and his arms and feet, trying to lower his burning fever.

And by the end of this routine Richie is sound asleep, too high on medicine to even care about the cold rags Eddie is still pressing to his skin. He looks better, Eddie thinks, and sits himself next to Richie's unconscious body throwing the towel on the floor. He keeps staring at Richie's flushed face, listening to his heavy breathing, and he can't help the smile spreading along his features. Even if Richie is sick and disgusting, Eddie can't help the small tug he feels in his heart from being able to admire him so close while going unnoticed. Eddie is well aware that he is in love with Richie, has been since kindergarten. But he had never been able to express his feelings out of fear of ruining their friendship. He's so happy with how things are right now, Richie doesn't even date anyone and spends most of his time with Eddie anyways, revealing this part of him and the fact that he is gay might just ruin this whole thing they've build. And Eddie wouldn't be able to live with himself if that ever happened.

That being said, he's never strayed away from doing dangerous things. Like cuddling up to Richie during movie night, or even holding his hand while they walk together back to their dorm late at night. One thing he's definitely not unfamiliar with though, is leaving lingering touches on Richie's chest or arms when he's fast asleep. Eddie loves looking at him when he's all cute and sleepy, but he loves it even more when his sound asleep so Eddie can touch him and appreciate him properly.

Eddie places his hand on Richie's chest feeling the way he's breathing. His body has filled out since they were young. He's still gangly but he's starting to acquire more muscle mass, and Eddie grabs mildly with his hand to feel it better. Eddie can't get enough of it so he puts his other hand on Richie's cheek, and strokes his open red lips with his thumb. His skin is still burning up from the fever but fuck if he isn't beautiful.

Minutes pass by while Eddie touches and caresses Richie everywhere and tries to memorize every dent, and every crease and dimple so he can dream about it later. After he makes sure that he's had his fill he gets up and heads for his own bed when he hears Richie mumbling in his sleep. And at first, Eddie is sure he's imagining it but he looks at Richie anyways while he weakly whispers: "Eds".

Eddie quickly comes back to Richie's side, worried that Richie is feeling worse.

"Do you need anything, Richie?"

And to Eddie's surprize Richie opens his eyes and stares at him with empty eyes. He grabs Eddie's hand, places it on his cheek and closes his eyes, losing consciousness.