problematic ➳ reddie

64

july ❀ age 15 -16    

"okay how about you just go live with steve?" richie suggested to his sister, who shook her head. "i've thought about it, but he lives with his roommate. I can't just come and third wheel"

"riles, you gotta move out at some point" richie threw a joggling ball in the air as he laid on his back on his sister's bed.

"i know, I know...don't stress me out" riley groaned and spun in her chair. "it just...so hard to find a place"

"you're not going to college?"

"no, i'm keeping a gap year." riley replied and laid next to her brother and looked up at the ceiling.

"well, as much as i dislike you from all the shit you've done to me these past years, I still like having you around" richie smiled and turned his head so that he was looking at riley.

"that must be the sweetest thing you've ever said to me, big guy" riley gave him a quirky smile and kissed his cheek.

"don't get so lovey dovey, ms. i still have the audacity to hate you. sister-brother law" richie shrugged.

"i know, i know" riley got up on her elbow. "so. how about you? it's been a while since I've seen eddie in here"

richie's emotions dropped. "yeah? we're not really friends anymore"

"why not"

"because of stuff" richie groaned. "it's not a big deal-"

"no shut up! you tell me what's going on. right now" riley exclaimed and scooted up to close her door. "tell me richie. we've never talked really. like...it's always joking, but I feel like it's time to put the sister-brother hate aside for a moment and talk"

richie sighed uncomfortably.

"richie. are you okay?" riley asked softly and sat on the edge on the table.

"do you want me to be?" richie lifted a brow.

"yes! of course I want you to be okay! you're my brother and I love you" riley said like it was obvious.

"yeah. then I am. we're done now" richie said shakily and got up, heading to the door. riley followed quickly and spun him around. "rich..."

the taller one allowed himself to be faced with his sister with tears brimming in his eyes.

riley was taken back by this. she's almost never seen richie cry. last time was when richie and eddie had a fight when they were younger and riley had to set up a meeting with Stanley and richie. that's almost when richie started to cry, but after that, it was a dry season.

riley ws caught off guard by richie collapsing onto her arms, head heavy on her shoulder and arms wrapping around her waist. he let out a sob and let his tears wet the fabric on riley's shoulder.

"hey, hey, it's alright" riley said quietly and hugged her brother back, stroking his back. "it's alright"

"it's not alright" richie shook his head.