I DO NOT OWN THIS STORY. All credit goes to TheWeaverofWorlds on ao3.
During homeroom on Monday, Eddie watched Richie entertain Stan and Ben with an over the top re-enactment of some sort. He wondered what it was like to be at the center of Richie's attention, to be able to laugh so easily, like it was nothing. He thought it must be nice.
"Eddie? Everything alright?" Mike asked.
Eddie turned his attention away from the other group to look at Mike. "Sure."
"Yeah?" Mike didn't believe Eddie's smile for an instant.
"Yeah, why wouldn't it be."
Mike could think of a handful of reasons why things might not be okay, but instead of replying he let out a small huff of air somewhere between a snort and a chuckle. He regretted the action instantly as pain shot up around his throat. He grimaced.
"Didn't think such a small action would hurt," he said under his breath.
Worry swept over Eddie like a tidal wave. It was selfish to think about Richie when Mike was in pain like this. Hatred and self-loathing tinged his worry like poison. "You need to be more careful."
"No one heard me, Dr. K. It's alright." Mike said, shifting slowly in his chair. "Don't suppose I could get another ibuprofen?"
Swallowing them hurt like a bitch, but Mike knew they helped ease the pain in the long run.
Eddie shook his head. "I can't give you anymore without risking your liver."
"Damn."
The bell rang as the rest of the class staggered in. Role was called; morning announcements were given. Eddie tuned them out, his knee bouncing rapidly as he worried about his patients. Luckily he could keep an eye on Mike all day, but he wouldn't see Bill until lunch. He hoped that Bill was better at covering than Mike. He really couldn't deal with any more nasty surprises today.
–
Stan watched as Bill rose from his desk and noted how carefully he moved. It was strange to see the teen so limited with his motions; he was moving more like a sixty year old rather than a sixteen year old. Stan couldn't look away.
"You're staring," Richie said.
Stan turned to glare at Richie. They were waiting for Bill before going to Epping's class, but even in the noise of students Richie wasn't exactly subtle. Stan worried that the wrong person, or even Bill, had heard him. "Would you shut up?"
Richie laughed before adding more quietly, "admit it you've got the hots for him."
Stan rolled his eyes. He closed the distance between them and Bill and began a conversation with him.
"How was your weekend?" Stan asked.
Bill shrugged before wincing. "N-not bad. Mostly did h-h-homework."
"Have you thought about what you're going to write your comparative essay on?" Richie asked as they caught up to him.
"Yeah. I was thinking of w-writing about Hotspur and c-comparing him to Achilles."
"Of course you were," Richie said. "Two ill-fated heroes, just your type."
Bill ignored him and looked at Stan. There was a soft smile tugging at Stan's lips that was absolutely adorable. "What about you, S-Stan?"
"I kind of wanted to write about the people who get left behind when their lovers go to war."
"Stan is convinced that Patroclus and Achilles were lovers," Richie said.
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Bloody Noses & Crack'd Crowns
FanfictionI DO NOT OWN THIS STORY. All credit goes to TheWeaverofWorlds When new kids: Bill, Mike, and Eddie arrive at Derry High, Stan and his friends aren't quite sure what to make of them. The new kids keep to themselves and are an utter mystery. Then thin...