Library Boy//Reddie

5

Eddie sighed as he twisted the key in its lock, swinging open the door. The first thing his eyes landed upon was a shirtless Richie sitting cross-legged on the couch, eating a bowl of cereal and watching The Breakfast Club.

Eddie glanced at the TV screen. He was at the part when Bender gives everyone weed. Eddie met Richie's gaze, who must've been already staring at him. Eddie hung up his coat and sat down on the chair next to Richie, becoming absorbed in the movie. 

Richie cleared his throat.

When Eddie didn't respond, Richie grabbed the remote and paused the movie.

Eddie tilted his head to the side. "Hey, I was watching that.."

Richie fixed him with a pointed look. "Stop messing with my head. We're having this talk here and now."

Eddie stifled a yawn. He knew it was his idea to set dorm rules with Richie but he just felt so exhausted. He briefly wondered if Beverly had roofied him. Then he laughed and the thought.

Richie raised an eyebrow. "What?"

Eddie waved a hand at him. "Nothing." He straightened up. "This is going to be a brief conversation because I'm tired and quite honestly sick of being mad at you. It complicates things."

Richie blew his curls out of his eyes. "Tell me about it."

Eddie rubbed his eyes. "Rule 1 is no kicking me out when you want to sleep with someone. You'd have to go to their dorm I guess."

Richie nodded and motioned for him to continue.

Eddie sighed "Rule 2 is we're a team. You don't turn your back on me and I won't turn my back on you. We support each other and help each other, whether it be with homework or a hangover. We look out for each other."

Richie agreed again. "Doable."

Eddie nodded like he was agreeing with himself. "Doable indeed." He coughed. "The last rule is we work together to keep this apartment in good condition. Except not our rooms. Those are for our own use and enjoyment so if you like living in a pigsty I'm not cleaning up after you."

Richie stifled a laugh. "Can I add something?"

Eddie gave him the go-ahead. 

Richie met Eddie's eyes before continuing. "We should try to be somewhat friends." He paused to gauge Eddie's reaction. "That means we go to parties together, have movie marathons, you introduce me to your friends and I'll do the same. We also cook for each other."

Eddie frowned. "Why would you want to be friends with me?"

Richie looked at him in disbelief. "Come on, Eds! You're awesome! Why wouldn't I want to be friends with you? You're smart, funny, ....cute." Richie said the last word fairly quietly, but Eddie still caught it and it made him smile.

Eddie threw Richie a half-smile. "Okay then. Pretty solid rules if I do say so myself."

Richie punched Eddie's shoulder playfully. "Darn right."

Before Eddie got up to change into more comfortable clothes, he stopped short and stared at Richie. Richie was watching breakfast club again and shoveling cereal into his mouth.

"Richie..."

Richie looked up. "Yeah, Eds?" He looked hopeful and Eddie couldn't fathom why.

Eddie scrunched up his nose. "I need to add one more rule."

Richie's expression dropped but he quickly replaced it with an encouraging smile. "Go ahead."

Eddie grinned. "Rule 4: No more calling me Eds."

Richie's face twisted into a smirk. "What if I can't stick to that one?"

Eddie narrowed his eyes. "You better..."

Richie leaned forward. "Ohhhh REALLY!?" When he said 'really' he jumped up and tickled Eddie to the floor.

Eddie tried to speak between guffaws of laughter. "N-no...s-stop, t-that's HAHAHA c-cheating! Time out, t-time o-out! HAHAHAHAHA!!!"

Somehow Eddie managed to leap to his feet and run down the hallway, Richie chasing close behind. "I'M GONNA GET CHU EDS!"

Eddie ran to his room and locked the door. "Don't call me Eds, you dingbat!"

He could still hear Richie's great gasps of laughter mingling alongside his own.

~~~

It's raining here and I luv it