It's Just Us

.1.

"Hey Eddie, can I talk to you for a sec?"

Richie had never called him by his name. The losers had just gotten done making their blood pack and started their journey's back home. Eddie and Richie had decided to take a walk through the barrens before they went home, as they hadn't wanted to return to their "normal" lives.

"Sure, what is it?"

Eddie watched as Richie paused. He watched as his knuckles turned white from the grip they had on his bike handles, the blood from his fresh cut dripping to the ground.

"We don't really know if 'It' is truly gone, ya know."

Eddie's breath hitched at the reminder of uncertainty that was shoved to the back of his mind. He knew he wasn't the only one to think of such a thing, but he didn't want it interfering with the new found comradeship between themselves.

"You're right, we don't. But let's just have hope that he won't come back. Maybe we scared him enough not to."

Richie took a deep breath as he picked his eyes off the blood-stained dirt between his shoes. He looked into those beautiful brown eyes that he fell for. Those same eyes that showed fear not long before. He knew he had to get this off his chest, but he was terrified. They had just gotten done fighting a killer clown in a sewer and yet this scared him.

"Can you make me a promise?"

Eddie's lips pursed as an uneasy feeling settled in his chest. Why did Richie seem so nervous?

"Of course I can, but for what?"

"A promise of friendship. Even if what I'm about to say could ruin it. Please promise me we can still be friends... I can't lose you."

Eddie's heart dropped at the look of fear coming from Richie's eyes. He's seen Richie scared before, but not in this way. He looked as if he would break if they did not make this promise. Like he wouldn't be able to handle it. And Richie could handle anything.

"Richie, you could hit me with a car and I'd still be your friend, but if you want me to promise, then I will. I, Eddie Kaspbrak, promise to still be your friend through thick and thin. So.. tell me what's bugging you, idiot."

It brought a trace of a smile to Richie's lips as his grip loosened on his bike handles. His bike dropping to the ground as he grasps Eddie's warm hands. They were always warm, and that made his smile grow as his thumb brushed against the cast, encasing his arm. A frown soon formed at the memory of how said cast came about.

"Richie.."

"'It' only thrived off our fear, right?"

It was a rhetorical question that needed no answer, but Eddie nodded none the less. His heart was beating so loud it surprised him Richie hadn't heard it.

"And everyone's fears are pretty well known, right?"

Eddie once again nodded before realization caused his eyebrows to furrow. Richie smiled at this before continuing.

"Everyone's fear is known except mines. I.. I want you to know my biggest fear, Eddie. I want you to know because you're important to me."

It brought a bittersweet smile to his face at Richie's words. He was happy to be the first to hear this, but sad at the fact he had to. He watched everyone face their fears, including himself. And yet here he stood with his friend, holding his hands as if he was made of glass.

Richie's gripped tightened as he grew nervous. He knew he had to say it, but his mind was screaming at him to shut up. To play this off as a joke and never bring it up again. But he was tired. So tired of hiding himself from someone who showed him everything. Someone who judges based on actions rather than words. Someone who puts up with his trash mouth. Someone he loves.

His eyes filled with determination as he stared at Eddie, his face turning red as embarrassment circulated throughout his body. He didn't mean to scream, but that's the only way it would've come out.

"I love you, okay! I, Richie Tozier, love you Eddie Kaspbrak more than anything in this stupid town! I love you so much it hurts! I want to see you smile and laugh and do that stupid giggle that you always do when you like a joke I tell you! My biggest fear is losing you and after today I know that could happen! I just need you to know this because I can't go on with my life knowing I could've told you this and just didn't!"

He was panting at the end of his proclamation. He watched as Eddie's face of shock never changed and he just stared at him.

Eddie's mind was racing at a thousand miles an hour. He was so surprised and happy and excited and overjoyed, yet he couldn't move. It was like his body just shut down and he needed a factory reset.

Richie's face turned into a look of dismay at said silence. He knew he should've just been quiet but look at him, ruining the best thing that ever happened to him.

"Just forget it, okay? You don't have to-"

Eddie's arms wrapped firmly around Richie's shoulders as he hugged him with every fiber of his being. He couldn't help the tears that fell from his face as he laughed in pure bliss.

"I, Eddie Kaspbrak, love you too."