✧alive✧ reddie

twenty-nine

Stanley POV

"what's wrong with you?" I say as I rush Bill and I out of Mike's house. "You being Eddie's best friend should be supporting his relationship not trying to make him feel like shit dating the person he cares about."

"Euh-Eddie deserves better." Bill replies.

"So what? That doesn't give you the right to be an ass towards them and their relationship." I tell him. "Just because you hate Richie it doesn't mean you can go and yell at them. You're supposed to be Eddie's friend, and right now, it really doesn't seem like it."

"He's uh-up to something. There's no way he wuh-would bully the shit out of him then start dating him duh-days later."

"That's the thing Bill, you keep assuming things! Just stop for once and take the time to appreciate Eddie's happiness. Appreciate that Richie has changed."

"I'm tuh-telling you he's plotting something." Bill insists.

"How do you know?"

"Because I duh-do."

"Seriously, if you keep doing this, Bill, it could really affect Eddie. Even us too."

"Wuh-what the hell is that supposed to mean?" Bill stutters.

"You're basically insulting Eddie!" I raise my voice unintentionally. "You're making him feel horrible! And the fact that you're bitching at Richie in front of him doesn't help at all! This is making me feel bad, Bill! I don't want to be that one guy who can't control his boyfriend!"

"Control?? So I'm suh-some kind of dog now??" Bill fires, his eyes beginning to get glossy.

"Bill.. I didn't mean that." I say.

"Yeah," he scoffs, "s-sure you did." He adds sarcastically.

"Bill..-"

"No," he takes a step back, "You're right. I'm this fuh-fucking uncontrolled dog who can't stop buh-bitching at the people I care about. The 'friend' who always assumes the worst, and doesn't suh-support relationships that could be tuh-toxic." Bill sheds a tear, and starts to back up.

"Bill, wait..!" I call and walk towards him, him already walking away.

"What??" He says harshly. "You wuh-want me to stop so I am. It's buh-better just not to be here to do suh-so."

"Bill..!!" I call as he starts jogging away from the house. I start to run after him, us both picking up speed.

I'm chasing him and all I can see is him crying but still managing to run. The wind drying his tears in the process.

"Bill..!" I finally catch up to him and turn him around, us both collapsing into each other in a tight hug. His tears start to soak my shirt as I hear his muffled words.

"I just wuh-want to protect him.." He stuttered between cries.

"I know... but you need to stop doing this.." I tell him. "Do it for Eddie,, for me.."

"I'll t-try.." He sniffles.

"Okay.." I say, rubbing soothing circles on his back.

"It's juh-just.. I-I care too much.. I want Euh-Eddie to not regret this.. I duh-dont want to see him guh-get hurt." Bill explains as he pulls out of the hug.

"And that's normal, but the way you're expressing it isn't the way to go. Just be there for him when he does get hurt, if he does, okay? Don't pressure him into believing his choice was a mistake, because who knows, they may stay happy for a long time." I tell him.

Bill takes a deep breath then nods, us hand in hand, making our way back home.

(a/n short chapter but better than none).