Last Christmas | REDDIE - KASPBROUGH

But the very next day, you gave it away

' But the very next day you gave it away '

The first few days of their relationship was heaven. Both boys loved each other and that's all that mattered. Shy kisses and tentative touches were exchanged and that was enough. But as most come to learn, nothing that good ever lasts.

By the time they got to day five, things went South.

It started small. At first, Richie got this weird look in his eye one day when they were "listening to records" which was code for kissing in Eddie's bedroom. He went still against Eddie's lips who immediately pulled away, concerned. "Rich, what is it?" He asked softly. Richie laughed a soft, breathy, sad kind of laugh. "It's just-" he paused, collecting his thoughts, "you're so fucking perfect." He said. Eddie had known Richie long enough to know when his words were genuine and when they had a hidden aim behind them. And these words were genuine. At first, this seemed like sweet praise, but then Eddie started to connect the dots.

Richie started shying away and denying Eddie's compliments. It started by just averting his eyes, but eventually grew to him shaking his head, bowing his head, and muttering some half assed excuse for why he had to get home.

It escalated when they told the other Losers about them. Of course, everyone had been completely accepting, even telling them how cute they were together and how perfect they were for each other. However, at this, Richie grew quiet. Eddie took note of this, deciding to not ask about it until later.

They were walking from Bill's house where they had all hung out and Eddie stopped Richie. "Richie, you know when Bev said we were perfect for each other?" Eddie asked. Richie gave a half nod, immediately staring down at the ground. Eddie continued, "Well, you got really quiet, why?" Richie slowly looked back up at Eddie and sighed. "Eddie, it just isn't true. We aren't perfect for each other. You're you and I'm just me." By Richie's tone, Eddie knew exactly what he was implying: Richie thought he wasn't good enough. Richie's voice faded and after a few moments of silence, he grumbled that he was going to try a new shortcut to get home. Eddie stood, stunned at this realization, only snapping back to the present when Richie was long gone. As much as he wanted to confront Richie about this, he figured he would see him tonight for New Years Eve anyways.

The Losers all mutually decided to attend some massive, open invite New Years Eve party. They had decided they would meet there at around 11. Eddie got ready and was sneaking out the door at 10:30 when his mother caught him. Coming up with a genius, excuse on the spot, he was let off with a suspicious look and the command to go to bed. So Eddie climbed the stairs, cursing his bad luck, but still determined to find a way to the party. He had to stay in his room for a full hour until he heard his mother's snores from across the hall. He immediately rushed towards the window, not risking the door again, and crawled down the drain pipe.

Once he was safely on the ground, he walked around the side of the house to get his bike. He glanced down to his watch and saw in was 11:30. Swearing under his breath, he hopped on his bike, pedaling as hard as he could to the destination of the party, a house all the way at the other end of town.

He arrived at the party at 11:53, he figured he had just enough time to find Richie before the clock struck 12 to ring in the New Year with a kiss. As he entered, he was shocked at how tightly packed the house was. Teenagers who were dancing, making out, and drinking were crammed into every square foot of the living room. Eddie pushed through the crowd, trying to see over heads to find Richie. The countdown from 10 had just begun when he caught a glimpse of Richie's curly hair.

10-9-8, he tried calling out his name, but was drowned out but the loud teenagers all around him.

7-6-5, as he got closer, he saw Richie chatting with a girl he recognized from his history class.

4-3-2, Eddie was taken aback at the way Richie leaned into her touch and scanned his eyes up and down her body.

1, as the screaming teenagers reached the end of their countdown, Richie leaned in and kissed her. Eddie felt so lightheaded he could barely stand. So many questions swirled around his head and he didn't have an answer for a single one of them.

Richie pulled away, leaning his forehead against the girl's. Eddie felt a cold wave wash over him as he saw Richie replicate the action he himself had performed after their first kiss. Richie smirked at her and drew his head back and immediately spotted Eddie.

Richie's smirk dropped and his eyes widened. He started making his way towards him, but Eddie couldn't face him right now. He shook his head to himself and shoved through the mob of teenagers, desperately trying to reach the front door.

Once he stepped out into the cold night, slightly windy. he sighed trying to hold back tears, he walked down the stairs until he heard someone yell out his name
It was Richie.

"Eds-" Richie began, but was soon cut off by Eddie's response "Eds? Is that really what you're gonna go with?" Eddie asked furiously. "Eddie, please listen, I-" Eddie cut in once again. "Oh yes I would love to listen to the reason why you're sucking face with some random girl after I told you I love you less than a fucking week ago!" His voice raised to a scream on the last few words. Richie fell silent.

"Eddie, it could never work between us, you're so fucking amazing and caring and perfect, but I'm me. I'm a huge fuck up and I ruin everything I touch. It's better to just end things now." Richie finished and Eddie just blankly stared.

"Richie, that's the biggest cop-out I've ever heard. If you're insecure in a relationship, you work through it, you don't go around kissing other people." Eddie began to feel tears burning behind his eyes. "You know what, between my mom and Bowers and now you..." his throat felt as if it were constricting from emotion. "I'm done feeling like my entire life is an uphill climb," his voice dropped to a whisper, certain he would burst out in sobs if he spoke normally, "God Rich, I wanted you to be my escape from all that shit, but it turns out you just contributed." he felt a heavy tear drip down his cheek, "Eddie" Richie whispered but he didn't want to listen. "Have a nice life" was all Eddie responder to, he then turned and retreated, unable to hold back the tears for another moment.
Richie just stood there watching Eddies figure fade as he left.

Eddie was halfway home, walking his bike past the pharmacy when he heard a voice call his name from a good distance behind him. At first, thinking it was Richie, he quickened his pace, not looking behind him. However, as he heard steps quickly approach, he heard Bill's gentle voice. "H-hey, slow d-down Eddie!" He called out.

Eddie immediately stopped and allowed Bill to catch up with him. For a moment, they just stare at each other, Eddie looking directly into Bill's deep blue eyes. "I-I saw Richie kissing Melanie Grace back there," so that's her name, Eddie thought, "I'm real sorry Eds, I know what he means-meant to you." Bill said, voice filled with true sorrow.

Eddie shook his head, trying his best not to cry and break down again. Bill took this as a queue to wrap his arms around Eddie's frame. He tightened his grip as Eddie began to audibly sob. Without saying a word, Bill grabbed the handle bars of Eddie's bike with one hand, keeping the other firmly wrapped around Eddie's shoulder, and led him to his own home. Eddie was extremely grateful, he wanted nothing less than to be alone with his thoughts tonight.
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A/N ; ... umm I'm sorry