Half The World Away

Sweet Dreams Are Made of This

NEW YORK, JUNE 19TH, 2016: 4:15pm

For a Sunday, JFK Airport is surprisingly busy. Eddie was guessing it was due to people on vacation, but it still makes him uneasy as he waits for Richie. He wasn't too great with crowds, due to germs, and he had mild claustrophobia. Bill had landed in JFK yesterday morning, surprising both him and Mike. That's who Mike was hanging out with today as they'd gotten an idea for a book to write together. Ben and Beverly were arriving tomorrow, and Richie was excited. He was sad Stan couldn't join, but he had work to get back to. Eddie really wanted to meet Patty after hearing Richie gush about her for two weeks over the phone.

"Eduardo!" Comes a familiar voice and Eddie scans the perimeter until his vision falls onto the tall comedian, dressed horrifically. He's in a stained t-shirt with something stupid written on it and he and grey sweatpants on. Eddie waves and Richie rushes over, duffel bag on his shoulder. He drags Eddie into a tight hug, and Eddie laughs. He really had missed Richie a lot." I need to change...this may or may not be vomit on my t-shirt."

"Ew!" Eddie gags, pushing the comedian away from him, making Richie laugh loudly." That's so gross, you really are a pig sometimes, Rich!"

"Not a pig, just travel sick." Richie states with a grin and Eddie turns on his heels, walking away, Richie jogging to catch up." Oi, little legs, why are so fucking fast?!"

"Beep beep, asshat!" Eddie says as they reach his car. Richie throws his bag into the back seats and gets into the passenger's seat. Eddie has black 2014 make Audi a4, and there's a dent in the passenger's side door that Richie doesn't question. Eddie's car is clean and smells new, thanks to the air freshener. Richie's car was filled with trash and smelled like fart.

"Can I play some music?" Richie asks and Eddie nods, passing him the AUX. Richie smiles and scrolls through a few playlists until he finds one. He clicks on it and sighs as he watches Queens blur by. The Glee version of Cough Syrup starts playing and Eddie throws Richie an odd glance." What?"

"Glee, really?" Eddie asks and Richie grins, causing butterflies to rise in the pit of Eddie's stomach. He looks back toward the road, praying Richie can't see him blushing.

"Darren Criss has the voice of an angel." Richie states, and Eddie chuckles. He couldn't argue with him on that. Eddie had watched all of Glee and he hated to admit that he had enjoyed it. Richie smiles and closes his eyes as Eddie drives.

The drive goes by quite fast as the two sit in a comfortable silence, Richie playing his music to fill a little bit of the silence. They soon arrive at Eddie's studio apartment and Richie tiredly hauls his bag up the stairs. Eddie opens the door to reveal the neat and clean apartment to be met with a "Where's the bed?" from Richie.

"It's a sofa bed." Eddie responds, sitting down on the sofa as if to exercise his point. Richie chuckles and places his duffel bag down. He was staying for four nights and had packed enough for four nights." Did you book a hotel?"

"No, I thought I was crashing with you." Richie responds and Eddie stares blankly at him." I'm sorry, was that wrong of me?"

"No no, it's fine, we'll just have to share the bed, that's all." Eddie rushes out and Richie nods with a small smile." It's not like we haven't done it before."

"All the time at our sleepovers." Richie says and Eddie smiles at him." Is it okay if I get changed in your bathroom?"

"Go ahead." Eddie confirms with a grin. Richie grins back before grabbing some clothes from his bag and heading off to the bathroom. Eddie hears the door lock, and he sighs. His heart was racing fast, and he hated it. He wished he hadn't uncovered his feelings for Richie because the next few days were going to be painful. But he wasn't ready to admit his feelings yet, he wasn't even out of the closet yet.