the downfall // richie tozier angst // reddie

6

"Eddie.. I can't breathe.." Richie uttered after a while of hugging the boy. Eddie pulled away, eyebrows curled up.

"Can I help you now?" the boy asked, and Richie nodded, eyed struggling to keep open. Eddie sighed and helped Richie lean against the wall. He ran to his bathroom and grabbed some stuff to soak up Richie's blood and heal his wounds.

Eddie entered the room quietly, scattering the things over the floor and grabbing some.

"Eds.." Richie whispered. Eddie looked up at him. "Can I ask for one thing before I die..?"

Eddie teared up. "You're not gonna die, Rich."

"Can you kiss me?"

The tears in Eddie's eyed were flung back as his eyes widened. His face heated up and he looked down, clearing his throat.

"O-Okay.." Eddie uttered. "Just— just know that you won't die."

"I might.. and I'm not willing to leave without kissing you one last time," Richie whispered. Eddie slightly smiled and leaned in. His and Richie's lips pressed against each other,  and they stayed like that for a hot twenty seconds. Eddie pulled away, smiling slightly. Richie, who could barely keep his eyes open, did the same.

"W-What hurts the most?" Eddie asked.

"Mmm.. s-stomach.. legs," he mumbled out. "Eddie I can't stay awake."

"Fuck," Eddie cursed under his breath. "Do I need to call an ambulance?"

"I can't pay the hospital bill."

"Don't worry about that, we can get that covered for you. You need serious medical help," Eddie pointed out. Richie shut his eyes. "Richie? Richie, answer me. Richie!"

Eddie cursed under his breath and struggled to grab his phone from his bed. He dialed in 911 and the phone rang as he breathed heavily, phone shaking close to his ear.

"911, what's your emergency?" the person on the other side of the phone asked.

"Hi, yes, um, my friend's parents.. or like- dad- he beat him and now my friend isn't waking up.." Eddie explained.

"Could he move?" the woman asked.

"No. No, I had to carry him to my house."

"Good job, sir. Can you check his pulse?" she asked. Eddie hummed and put his index and middle fingers on Richie's wrist.

"He's alive," Eddie breathed.

"When did he pass out?"

"A minute ago.. I-I don't know where he's bleeding, if it's internal, where he was hit, all I know is that he was beaten a-and he couldn't stay awake nor could he move," Eddie rushed.

"Alright, can we get his address, please?"

"Uhh.. (insert address)," Eddie said. Short silence was heard over the line, as well as key board typing.

"Okay, sir, we're sending people over now. An ambulance is on it's way to help your friend. Can you stay on the line?"

"Yes, yes I can. Thank you so much," Eddie breathed.

"What is your friend's name?"

"Richard Tozier, his parents are Wentworth and Maggie Tozier," Eddie said.

"Hm. We've had our suspicions about abuse in the Tozier household. Thank you for confirming and calling."

"Yeah.. yeah no problem."

"Take a deep breath, sir, help is on the way. Richard will be okay."

"Okay, okay.. thank you," Eddie whispered, staring down at Richie. 'Finally. This is happening. We're getting you help. Just hold on.' Eddie swallowed hard.