cash in. (au story)

chapter 38; this isn't goodbye, it's simply "see you later."

that went by quick. wow.

it was officially the final day of summer, richie entering the pharmacy with a deep breath. he didn't want to lose kevin. and he knew he wouldn't.

kevin cleared his throat. "last day.."

"yeah," richie sighed.

"fuck it, i'm gonna miss you so fucking much, dude," kevin admitted, turning to richie and hugging him.

"aw, you've built a soft spot for me!" richie said. kevin pulled away with a smile and red, puffy eyes, wiping them. "don't cry, kev."

"i won't fucking see you again of course i'm gonna cry." he forced out laughter as he spoke.

"we can text whenever you want. and i'll visit the pharmacy like- every day."

"true.." kevin sniffed and sighed. "just promise me that you won't change. grow up. leave."

"i promise," richie said with a growing smile, holding his pinkie up. "pinkie promise."

kevin let out a wet laugh and shook richie's pinkie. "oh! and uh.. hah, i got something for you."

richie cocked an eyebrow and kevin pulled out a tape recorder from inside the counter drawer, handing it to richie.

"what's this?" asked richie.

"listen to it when you get home," kevin said with a faint smile. richie chuckled.

"okay then," he said, setting it back on the counter.

"well, cya at midnight."

"see ya," richie said with a shit-eating grin.

he was really going to miss hanging out with kevin every day at the pharmacy. the kid was his older brother.

kevin already missed richie as well, crying quietly in his office. he knew he couldn't go back to work during school, he needed to focus on school. so there was no way he'd be seeing richie again unless they planned something. that make his heart ache.

richie put a hand over his face as he thought of the reality of the situation. losing his non-biological big brother was like losing a parent, and he'd already been through that one. they both had.

richie felt himself starting to cry. he sat back and sniffed, staring down as another customer entered.

midnight came awfully fast and richie entered kevin's office, walking up to him and practically jumping on him as he hugged the taller boy. kevin started crying and hugged back.

neither of the two spoke. they didn't know what to say. all they knew was that they'd both miss one another wholeheartedly and prayed to god that they'd see each other again in the future.

upon pulling away from the hug, kevin wiped his eyes and richie sniffed, looking down.

"this is it. i-i'm really gonna miss you," richie spoke up, voice shaky. kevin cracked a shaky smile.

"i'll miss you too." he sniffed and put his hand on richie's shoulder. "but hey, all good things come to an end."

richie chuckled. "glad you consider this experience as a good thing."

kevin smiled sincerely and side hugged richie, both of them leaving together once they pulled away.

as kevin turned the sign on the door for the final time, holding mason's collar and taking a deep breath.

"and after all of that trauma, we're finally free," said kevin with a slight smile. richie chuckled.

"cheesy ass bitch," he snarked.