Your dirty little secret - Reddie

-9-

It was the first official day of summer. The losers planned to go to the lake later in the day. Eddie was the first to go home. He grabbed all of his things and his mom picked him up.

"Did you take your pill Eddie-bear?" Sonia asked him as he got into the car. Eddie sighed, "Yes mommy. Around a hour ago." They drove in silence a moment. "How was the sleepover?" Mrs.K said. Eddie smiled and gave a short, "good." Before looking out the window.

Once he got home, he brought all of his things up to his room. He walked around the room unpacking the bag, placing dirty clothes in his laundry basket, and anything else in its drawers. Eddie cleaned up any mess he saw in and around his room, in fear of getting germs all over his room.

"Ma?! They all want to go to the lake a bit later, could I go?" Eddie yelled hopping down the stairs. Mrs.K wiped down the kitchen counters and table with disinfectant wipes. Eddie walked into the kitchen, "Ma?"

"What's this box, Eddie-bear?" She said pulling out the small box that had been in the drawer since earlier that week. Eddie froze then snapped back, "Not sure, open it." Sonia opened the box, there was nothing inside. Creepy Eddie thought.

"Do you think I can go?" Eddie asked again. Sonia took a moment, "Will miss Marsh be there?" She shot back. Eddie paused then shook his head, "No it's all boys, momma."

"Wear sunscreen!" Sonia walked into the other room, sitting down in her chair. Eddie followed giving her a kiss on the cheek before grabbing his things for later that day. "Ma? Do you think I could buy a snack from the corner store later?"

~~~

They all met up at the lake after buying a few snacks at different stores. Richie bought some of Eddie's favorite candy, and some chips. The others bought stuff they wanted. Eddie bought a bag of Richie's favorite cookies and some candy Beverly liked.

They all set up a blanket on the sand and rocks, then placed the snacks down and hopped into the water. Stanley stayed shallow with Ben, as the others splashed each other and played chicken like they always did.

A bit later Eddie made everyone get out and re-apply their sunscreen. No body cared as much as Eddie did but they didn't want him to be upset so they didn't fight him on it. They all put their clothes back on and relaxed without bickering. Even Richie put more sunscreen on without saying anything. Well, until, "This shit looks hella familiar! Just ask Ed's's mom!" They all laughed.

"Beep Beep rich." Beverly laughed as Eddie frowned and refrained himself from jumping on Richie and attacking him in that moment. Richie smiled, "You ok over there, Ed's?"

"Thats Not My Name!" Eddie yelled. He reached over for Richie's snacks. Richie through the bag into Eddie's face, causing him to lose his shit and attack Richie, taking off his glasses before hitting him in the face. Eddie didn't want Richie to actually get hurt. He was just messing around.

"Ah—Shit! Sorry! I'm sorry! I can't see!" Richie pleaded as the others watched him get beat up. Eddie was sitting on top of Richie, pinning him down as he slapped him in the face back and forth; not too harshly, as Bill held Richie's glasses. Richie couldn't fight back if he couldn't see.

Eddie reached a hand to Bill, who gave him Richie's glasses. Eddie placed the glasses back on Richie's face gently, then climbed off of him. Eddie sat back down with the group, as Richie got up and thought about just how weird that had been. No one else made it weird. Just two friends fighting and messing around. Richie was the only one made uncomfortable by the interaction.

Richie's face was bright red, both from the slapping and from the way Eddie was sitting on him before. He couldn't stop overthinking it. Eddie was just joking around. He wasn't even trying to hurt Richie. So then why was he so uncomfortable. Because he liked Eddie?

The group continued their joking then went headed back to the hideout. They put their snacks on the table and sat around the room. Richie sat in the hammock first to tease Eddie. Eddie rolled his eyes and set a timer on his watch.

When his time was up he refused to move as per usual which sparked another fight. Eddie punched Richie in the stomach until he agreed to get out of the hammock. Eddie set his timer and Bev called "next in line."

After hanging out for a few hours, the group disbanded back to their houses. Richie and Eddie were going in the same direction, so Richie offered to walk him home.

"Hey, um...the cookies you got...no one ate them dork!" Richie teased nervously. His hands were shaking and his heart was pounding. They walked their bikes down the street. Eddie rolled his eyes, "Yeah well they were for you, not everyone else."

Richie's heart pounded louder. He was sure that Eddie could hear it now. Richie swallowed thickly, "Oh? Why did you get them for me?"

"Well you do like them, don't you? So stop complaining and be grateful I was thinking about you at all!" Eddie fought. Richie's heart pounded in his ears and head, hands began to sweat, and his face began to heat up so much he felt like he'd die.

"Okay-" Richie said, hoping to say more but he could get it out. He was so shaky he felt like he could phase through his bike at any moment by accident. Eddie glanced at Richie, "Are you okay? Do you have a fever? Get away from me if you have a fever!"

"I don't have a fever!" Richie laughed. The two walked in since to Eddie's house. Richie walked Eddie up to his door but before Eddie let him leave, he cleaned his glasses for him. Richie road his bike home quickly trying not to explode.