2 out of 7 || reddie

seven

It had been a couple of weeks since the first time they all hung out after school. Richie was ecstatic. He had three new friends, and their group got along well. He'd always been okay with his friends, but it felt nice to have an even lager group. Everyone agreed.

Richie was about to leave for school when he got a phone call from Eddie.

"Eds?"

"Hey dipshit." Eddie said from the other side of the phone. He had picked up that name within the last couple of weeks.

"What's up?"

"Can I have a ride to school? Jamie had to leave early."

"Sure spaghetti, I'll be there in a couple minutes."

"Okay, see you."

-

Eddie waited for Richie to arrive at his house. Usually when he needed a ride, he asked Bill who could also drive, but something urged him to ask Richie today.

Eddie jumped at the sound of a loud horn. He rolled his eyes and walked outside, getting into Richies car.

"Morning, eds."

"Morning, dipshit."

"I think you're starting to call me that too much."

"Oh, save it." Eddie replied with a snort.

-

Once they got to school, things turned around fast. They got out of Richies car, and Henry Bowers was waiting in the parking lot.

"Hey, Tozier, I see you found the new kid." Henry said, leaning against his car.

"Henry, just save it." Richie said, subconsciously stepping in front of Eddie.

"But I've been waiting to meet him!" Henry said with a chuckle, standing closer.

"Cut it out." Richie said as firmly as he could. Truth was that he was really scared too. Henry shoved Richie out of the way and pushed Eddie to the ground, hard.

"Bowers! What the fuck!" Richie felt like he could punch that stupid grin off his face. He just laughed and walked away.

"Eddie!" Richie grabbed Eddies arm and helped him up. "Are you hurt?"

"Uh- scraped my knee. I'm okay." Eddie said, clearly trying to play it off. Richie could tell he was scared.

"Here, I'll help." Richie said, not really knowing how to help.

Eddie could tell Richie was lost on what to do, so he sat down on the ground. "It's okay, I got it." He started unzipping his fannypack.

Richie watched as the boy took out some wipes and a bandaid and fixed up his scrape like it was no big deal. By the looks of everything inside one tiny fannypack, he was prepared for every injury that could ever occur.

"You look upset, sure it doesn't hurt too bad?"

"This? No biggie, I'm upset because a tall dude with a mullet just attacked me. And I know he's capable of causing more damage." Eddie laughed a little, but he truly was scared. He'd dealt with bullies in the past, he knew he was an easy target.

"It's alright, eds. I'll watch out for him. He won't do that again." Richie said. He wasn't sure where it was coming from, but he meant it. Even though he couldn't take on Bowers, he felt like he could for Eddie. He was too late that time, but he wouldn't let him come near Eddie again.

Eddie smiled and looked into Richies eyes, he looked sincere. He was knelt down in front of Eddie, and Eddie imagined pulling him in and kissing him. It was a strange thought, one he'd never had before. He shook his head and stood up, "Thanks, Rich. Let's get to class."

-

Later that night, Eddie sat in bed listening to music. He was trying to fall asleep, but he couldn't stop thinking about earlier that day. How Richie looked at him, what Richie said to him, and his thought of kissing Richie kept reappearing.