fools || Reddie

ch.19

🌻afraid🌻

• • •

-Eddie-

I put my arms over my head and walked in a circle. It was hot and moist out, it was most likely going to rain.

The ball was passed to me and I kicked it in the goal again.

Richie: Whoo! Your doing so good eds!

Eddie: there's not even a goalie

Richie: but your still doing good!

I smiled and rolled my eyes. Soccer practice can be boring, but the Losers always come watch on the field. Bev was teaching mike how to braid hair (using Bens hair as an example), Bill sat in Stans lap and Richie laid down in the grass and watched me.

My team mate, Lucas (aka Max's boyfriend), is my best friend on the team. We passed the ball back and forth but he kicked it too hard and I had to run and get it. It stopped at the bleachers, where Henry and his friends sat. Just my luck right?

Henry: I see your not dressing like a total fag today

I rested the ball on my hip and swept my hair back

Eddie: don't you guys have anything better to do? Oh wait, I forgot your a druggie with no life

He flicked his cigarette at me and shoved me to the ground.

Henry: your boyfriend is no better girly boy.

I felt a hand on my back help me up. Bill dusted the back of my shirt off and Richie stood between Henry and I

Richie: wanna try that again?

Henry: what? Treat a gay how he should be treated?

Richie: if you ever touch him again, I'll fucking tear you apart

Henry: I had expectations for you Tozier, from your back ground and all... guess the gays got to you too fast. You're soft

Richie: I'm not gonna be so soft when I make you choke on your fucking teeth—

They were in each others face and I could see both their hands turning to fists. I put my hand on Richies shoulder and stood at his side. I looked up at him but his gaze never turned from Henry's eyes

Eddie: Richie, let's go...

Richie: he has to learn a lesson

Eddie: he's not worth it

He looked down at me and his eyes were hard and emotionless. It scared me, it was like he was a completely different person. I took my hand off him and he looked back at Henry

Henry: are you gonna do something fag?

Richie chuckled and Stan pulled me away

Stan: Richie. Don't do anything stupid

Richie: I won't

He turned to us but then spun back around to punch Henry straight in the mouth. He stumbled back and then ran forward to tackle Richie on the ground. He made a swift blow to his eye and I tried to intervene but Stan held me back.

Henry got in a few more hard punches until Richie kicked him off and punched him in the face again. Henry's friends all ran off, probably from the amount of blood dripping from Henry's face.

Richie got Henry in a headlock and turned him towards me.

Richie: you see him? You touch him, or even look in his direction, I'll fucking break you. And don't think I won't.

He let Henry go and he wiped the blood off his cheek. Henry ran off and I squirmed out of Stans grip. I looked at Richie who was looking straight at me

Eddie: who the fuck are you?

Richie: I had to protect you

Eddie: by threatening someone?! I've never seen you like that... I thought I knew you

Richie: well we're all full of surprises Eddie

I glared at him but then noticed the cuts on his bruised eye area. I walked over to him and wrapped my arms around his waist

Eddie: you're so stupid...

Richie: I know

Eddie: he could really hurt you, trust me

Richie: I don't care. As long as he doesn't touch you

He kissed my forehead and wound his arms around my shoulders

Eddie: let's go fix you up

~

I sat him down on my kitchen counter and took out my first aid. My mom was thankfully at work, I don't know how she would feel about a bleeding boy sitting on her kitchen counter.

I took an alcohol pad and dabbed it around his eye. It was a lilac purple shade, should heal pretty fast

Richie: did I scare you?

I shyly nodded and threw away the bloody tissue. He put his hand on my cheek and tilted my head up to meet his gaze

Richie: I'm sorry... but I had to be

I sighed and broke away from him to grab my bandages

Eddie: I know...

I walked back in between his legs and unwrapped a blue band aid. Before i could put it on his cheek he gently grabbed my wrist and kissed me. He pulled away and frowned

Richie: you didn't kiss back

Eddie: I'm sorry...

Richie: are you afraid of me?

I fidgeted with my fingers and shook my head no

Richie: yes you are. Tell me

Eddie: tell you what?

Richie: that your not afraid of me...

I looked up at him again and he looked like he was going to cry
(a/n imagine the face that Mike made when he reunited with El in season two of stranger things)

I softly smiled and put the band aid on his cut. I put my hand on his cheek and ran my thumb over his freckles

Eddie: I'm not afraid of you

He nodded and a tear rolled out of his eye

Eddie: thank you for protecting me, but next time, focus on my words, not his

I hugged him tightly and he ran his hands through my hair. He pecked my cheek and rested his head against my shoulder

Richie: I don't want to lose you, and I don't want you to be afraid of me...

Eddie: you won't lose me...I'm right here

I rubbed his back and let him cry on my shoulder. The patter of rain drops sounded against my kitchen window and the room became darker.

I wiped the tears from his cheeks and he sniffled

Eddie: let's do something tomorrow, just us

Richie: like a date?

Eddie: if you want it to be

He smiled and I felt better. He held my hand and squeezed his legs around my hips

Richie: Okay, then its a date

• • •

-grazer_boi

🌻