Library Boy//Reddie

4

Eddie woke up at like 5:00 am, unable to sleep. He sat on the couch, sipping a mug of coffee spiked with vodka. If he was going to talk to Richie, he needed all the help he could get, including an extra push from a college student's favorite alcoholic beverage. 

Except...Richie was still sleeping and it was past 8:00 now. Eddie guessed Richie's first class was already in session. Then Eddie slapped his forehead. How could I forget?  Eddie thought, Richie was drunk, it's possible he would be sleeping all day! 

Eddie decided that plans with Beverly were long overdue-plus a delay from the unsavory talk he was planning to have with Richie. A welcome distraction.

He texted her asking to meet up at a nearby coffee shop that was usually empty this time of day. She responded less than 2 minutes later agreeing.

Eddie sighed and dumped the rest of his coffee down the drain. Then a brief concern for Richie flickered into his mind. Eddie remembered the last time he had a hangover. He could barely move. Beverly was so kind, catering to his every need. Only Richie didn't have anyone to take care of him. Eddie glanced at the coffeepot. Him and Richie weren't even friends, acquaintances maybe, but Eddie was a good person. 

He climbed up on the counter to get Richie's favorite blue mug out of the upper shelves. Then he fixed him a mug of coffee and some buttered toast. Then he backtracked and also poured Richie a glass of water and shoved the aspirin bottle in his pocket. Richie was going to need it.

Eddie didn't bother knocking on the door. He walked in, expecting Richie to be asleep. Instead Richie was holding a book over his head...reading? Skimming for pictures? Who knew? 

When Richie noticed Eddie, he threw the book down and started to sit up, wincing at the pain in his head.

"Shh, lie down, lie down." Eddie placed a hand on Richie's bare chest and lightly pushed him back down into the mattress.

Richie huffed but did as he was told. 

Eddie handed him two pills and the glass of water. "Take these. They'll help with the headache."

Richie downed the pills and smiled weakly up at Eddie. "What a night."

Eddie scoffed. "You're telling me."

Richie frowned. "Look about the girl and kicking you out..."

Eddie raised his eyebrows sarcastically. "Oh you remember? Lovely. Makes this much easier on my part, you know, I don't have to recount your horrific actions."

Richie ran his long fingers through his messy curls. "Eds...I know this isn't nearly enough, but if it amounts to something, I'm sorry. I really am. It won't happen again."

Eddie looked down and pushed the plate of toast closer to Richie. "Eat something. You'll feel better."

Richie nodded and took a nibble of the toast. "Look, Eds, I know this conversation isn't over-"

Eddie cut him off. "Yes, well, I already called in to let the school know you won't be coming in today. You look dreadful. I think today should be a day of rest for you. Me, on the other hand-I'm going out with Beverly. We have some catching up to do. When I get back I think it might be best if we discuss some, erm, rules if we're going to be living together. The first one is no kicking out your roommate so you can have sex."

Richie's cheeks grew red. "I agree wholeheartedly. And thank you. For everything."

"No problem. Right then, I'm going to be heading out." Eddie stood up and brushed off his trousers, heading for the door. Just before he shut it all the way, he stuck his head back into Richie's room.