coy ➳ Reddie

Seven

Richie arrived at Eddie's drab house, and he parked his bike on the side of it, looking up at Eddie's window. There was a large tree good enough for climbing right near it, so Richie grasped one of the branches, and pushed himself up. He repeated the process of stepping, grabbing, and lifting himself on the tree until he reached Eddie's window.

Richie tapped his knuckles on the glass, and he saw Eddie approach, dark crescent moons underneath his beautiful eyes that weren't sparkling. They were red, like he's been crying a lot. His skin was pale, not the normal, healthy tan that it usually was. Richie felt his heart break a little.

Eddie opened the window, noting how Richie had never removed the bandages he'd given him, and Richie clumsily crawled inside. Richie examined the younger boy's face, and Eddie felt himself start to tear up. Richie gently hugged Eddie, giving him a feeling of safety that surrounded him. He cried, and that made Richie hug him a bit closer.

"Oh, Eds, what did she do to you?" Richie whispered, his fingers stroking Eddie's hair.

Eddie didn't answer. Instead he buried his head in Richie's dark blue hoodie, inhaling the faint scent of cigarettes and laundry detergent. The fabric dampened with Eddie's tears.

"She wouldn't let me eat... she wouldn't let me until she was sure I wasn't gay, and she wouldn't let me leave my room... She saw your note, Richie." Eddie whispered, his voice lined with fear.

"Shit, I'm so sorry. Should I... Should I do anything, should I take you somewhere?"

"Please, just take me anywhere. I don't care. I'll just make up an excuse." Eddie said, looking up at Richie, his eyes glossy and wet. Richie pressed his lips to Eddie's cheek, then to his lips briefly, and hugged him again in an attempt to make Eddie's sadness wash away. It worked a little. Richie loved the feeling of Eddie's soft lips against his own, but he still felt anger at Mrs. K in himself.

"Are you sure?" Richie asked, and felt Eddie nod his head against his chest.

"I'm not gonna let her fucking get away with this. I promise." Richie said. "C'mon, let's go. Do you want me to just take you to some random diner?"

"Anywhere but here."

Richie crawled out of the window first, followed by Eddie. Richie wanted to be underneath Eddie so he could catch him if he slipped and fell. Once they finally descended to the ground, Richie hopped onto his bike, trying to make as much room as possible for the frail boy. Eddie cautiously climbed onto the bike, and wrapped his arms around Richie's waist, and Richie began to pedal his way to an old strip mall that had a decent restaurant.

  ♚  

Richie was parking his bicycle in the bike rack, and Eddie stood there awkwardly, still shaken up by what had happened earlier. Scary thoughts filled his head.

What if she's in my room right now, looking for me? What if she's calling the cops, and they'll misunderstand and arrest Richie and I'll never see him again? What if-

"Eddie." Richie said, and the smaller boy jumped a little.

"Y-yeah?" Eddie asked.

Richie jerked a thumb in the direction of the diner's entrance, and the two headed inside. They found a seat at a booth near a window, and a kind looking waitress approached them.

"Hello. Can I get you two something to drink?" she asked.

"Sure... I'll just have a water, please." Eddie said, his voice sounding a bit drained and tired.

"I don't mean to be nosy, but are you okay?" the waitress asked, eyebrows furrowed in concern.

"Oh, um, yeah. I-I'm fine. Just a bit tired." Eddie said.

"Okay. Well, I'll be back with your drink in a moment. Would you like anything?" she asked, and turned to Richie.

"No, I'm okay." Richie said, and the waitress nodded, and walked away.

Richie took one of Eddie's hands that lied on the table, and held it in his own. 

"So you haven't eaten anything all day? You must be starving." Richie said, and Eddie nodded.

"What did my mom tell you when you were at my front door?" Eddie asked.

"She told me you were 'getting better.' You heard? I thought you weren't allowed out of your room."

"I came downstairs because I heard your voice, and when she closed the door I tried telling her off, saying 'you can't do this', and she threw me into my room. Then I called you. This morning I had a panic attack after she yelled at me..."

Richie sighed angrily, his knee bobbing up and down. The waitress came back with their drinks, and saw the boys holding hands. They expected her to get angry, but she smiled.

"Here's your drink." she said, placing it on the table. "So, did you figure out what you'd like to eat?"

"Um... I think I'll just have some scrambled eggs and toast."

"Alright, that'll be right up." she said, and walked away yet again.

About ten silent minutes later, and the meal came. Richie felt his heart droop a little at how quickly Eddie ate his food, because he was clearly starving. When he finished, the waitress came over with a check.

"I can pay. I have some money on me." Eddie said, but Richie waved his hand in Eddie's direction, already taking out his wallet.

"It's fine, Eddie."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive."

Richie paid, and then walked out the door with Eddie. They both got on his bike, and Richie took him home.

  ♚ 

When they finally arrived at Eddie's house, Eddie was on his porch, waiting for Richie to ride his bike away until it was out of sight. Then he walked inside.

"Eddie! Where have you been? I was getting ready to contact the police!" Sonia said, barging up to him.

Eddie already had his excuse made up.

"I'm sorry, mommy. I wanted to go clear my head, and think about stuff, and I wanted to go on a walk, but I knew that you wouldn't let me so I climbed out of my window. I learned my lesson, though. I did." Eddie lied. 

"Oh, Eddie. What a good boy. You can go to school tomorrow, if you'd like." his mother said, and pulled him into a tight, uncomfortable embrace. It was the opposite of what Richie's hug was like earlier. Richie's was caring, and soothing. It made him feel secure, and protected. But this one was different. But he had to hug her back, if he wanted all of this to be believable.

He went into his room again, and as he laid down in his bed, the only thought that seemed to be on his mind was Richie.

He's never had anyone care for him quite like Richie did.