it oneshots

spider-stan

What if Richie stood up for Eddie after Bill made him cry because Richie almost got killed by spider-stan?

Also Eddie deserved better

Eddie's heart was beating a mile a minute.
Richie almost died, Richie almost fucking died and he stood there and did nothing.
What if he had lost him? What if he never told Richie how he felt because he was such a goddamn coward?
Seeming to read Eddie's mind, Bill spat "He could have f-f-f-fucking died, man!" He lunged towards Eddie, shoving him towards the wall. "You kn-know that, right?"
"I can't see." Richie groaned, as Beverly frantically helped him up, handing the poor man his glasses.
"G-Georgie's dead, the- the kid's dead, Stan- Stanley's dead, y-y-you want R-Richie too? You w-want Richie too?!" Bill shouted. His hands gripped Eddie's jacket and he was absolutely seething with anger.
Eddie tensed up, paling, he could feel the tears forming in the back of his eyes. "I don't want Richie too," he says shakily, exhaling. "I don't, I- I don't." That's the last thing he could ever want for Richie. The boy he's loved simce the first day of kindergarten, both platonically and romantically. Seeing him get attacked by It was traumatic and he didn't fucking do anything about it. He swallowed back a sob; his lower lip trembling. That's he always does. He let's people get hurt, because he is so so afraid.
Bill's shoulders heave. His face swarms with anger.
"Please don't be mad, Bill," Eddie said, he wasn't even trying to hold back the tears anymore. They were spilling out and he felt as if he were a small weak child. He wasn't brave like Bill, and Bill seemed to resent him for it. He swallows, "I was just scared."
"Who the actual fuck do you think you are?" Richie shouted, getting unsteadily to his feet. Eddie shook with shame and guilt. I am not wanted here, he thought to himself.
"I'm sorry," He began to say, before realizing Richie wasn't talking to him.
"You know damn well Eddie didn't mean any fucking harm. And don't talk to him like that; like you have the fucking right to march all over him because he felt fucking vulnerable and afraid, like he isn't even human!" He walked up Eddie, putting a protective arm over his chest, and giving him a look indicating that it's okay, I'm okay, you did nothing wrong. "Since your inconsiderate ass forgot, Eddie had the worst experience here at this very house. I don't think anyone else but you forgot that. Remember his broken arm, remember how close to death he was? The fight we had right after? I was so scared I was going to loose him. But no, of course you don't! I don't give a shit that he just stood there, because I'm fine, I'm fucking dandy, dude. We need to move on, because we have a fucking clown to kill."
Eddie had still been crying, but he was less upset and more confused now. He had sat idly by while Richie was on the verge of death, yet Richie didn't care?! Bullshit. He shakily put his hand on top of Richie's hand, that was still resting on his chest, and Richie half-smiled at him.
"Richie," Ben spoke softly, "I know you're upset, but-"
"Stay the hell out of this, Ben!" Yelled Richie, he turned his focus over to Bill. "Look, I know you think you're some big leader and shit, and you think you're helping me out but you're really not. Like- do you have fucking brain damage? He was clearly having a panic attack and was so clearly upset. Thank you, and I really really mean it- for saving me. But for the love of God, stay the fuck away from Eddie."

Richie would never truly know how much Eddie appreciated him in that moment. How glad Eddie was that he was still there, still breathing, that he was ok. All Eddie wanted was Richie, and that's really it. He couldn't be more happy to have Richie in his life, even if Richie viewed their relationship as strictly platonic, (which Eddie would later find out, is not at all how Richie felt).