cash in. (au story)

chapter 16; exploding.

"how are you feeling?" kevin asked richie, who shortly glanced at him before standing and walking out of the office. "rich!"

"i need a minute alone, kevin," richie mumbled as he exited. kevin sighed and let the boy do so, mentally complaining that he had to do richie's job again.

richie quickly stormed into the bathroom, taking deep breaths as he entered a stall. realizing he couldn't take sitting in such a small room, he quickly exiting and lightly leaned against the wall, aware of his back.

he took deep breaths, trying to calm his nerves and forget what happened. richie splashed water on his face and dried it, walking out of the bathroom and displaying a smile.

kevin glanced at him and hesitantly walked over to the counter where richie was walking.

"hey—" kevin started.

"sup!" richie cheered. kevin's eyebrows furrowed.

"did you just take some happy pill or something?" kevin asked, and richie shook his head.

"nah, let me do my job. hello, sir!" richie said, acting alright for some odd reason to kevin.

"whaaatever, dude," kevin sighed and just let richie do his thing, going back into his office.

richie helped a few more customers after this, trying not to drop his upset mood. he got a random spike of energy and decided on using it to the best of his ability, making sure no one else looked at him with any more sympathy.

eventually, 8:00 rounded the corner, and richie entered kevin's room, exhausted and grumpy.

"keeev," he complained.

"yes, richie?" kevin sighed.

"can i leave? i'm exhausted and you've forced me to stay on my days off to the extent it's not even a day off," richie pointed out. kevin grumbled.

"busy out there?"

"nope."

"fine. never again, though," said kevin, standing slowly. richie nodded.

"thanks, kev," richie said as he left, grabbing his things from behind the counter and leaving.

richh >>> eds 🤩

richh: im coming over tn

eds 🤩: got it
eds 🤩: grumpy tho

richh: its whatever im exhausted and wanna sleep anyway

eds 🤩: k then

richie eventually made it to eddie's window, it slightly being open already. he opened it wider and hopped in the room, eddie glancing at him and looking back down at his phone as he lied on his bed. his hair was wet, symbolizing he had taken a shower already.

"hey," said richie, tired. eddie nodded. richie sighed and plopped on eddie's bed, who cringed.

"you gonna shower, dude?" asked eddie. richie looked up at him.

"nah, i showered last night," he said. eddie grimaced.

"okay, then sleep on the floor."

"what?"

"rich, i just cleaned my bed, i don't want dirt in it."