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𝕡𝕒𝕣𝕥 𝟚𝟛-𝕓𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕥𝕙𝕖

Eddie sighed when he felt himself drift out of his sleep. He sat up, groaning as his stitches ached with pain. He looked around the room but found it empty. Eddie sat there in silence, staring straight ahead. He felt as empty and alone as the room he sat in, no purpose, no life, and no  motivation to do anything at all. He bit his lip nervously and shakily lifted his hand, staring at his chipped lilac nail polish. He sighed and pressed his hand to his face, letting his soft palm run down his cheek, imitating Richie's old actions. He sighed into the touch, imaging Richie's rough palm on his face. "I'm going to make it through this," Eddie whispered quietly to himself, "I'm not letting Richie's heart break." 

Eddie fluttered his eyes closed and tried to imagine Richie's face. His dazzling eyes appeared in Eddie's mind, and he smiled softly at the view of his dark eyes sparkling in the sun. His soft, pale skin then entered Eddie's mind and he felt happiness explode In him when he saw the freckles that were sprawled under his eyes. He was close to imagining his lips, but was interrupted by the sound of a door swinging open. Eddie opened his eyes and was met with Bill. "Uh hey," Bill said, his eyes refusing to meet Eddie's. Bill took a seat next to Eddie's bed and rubbed his neck awkwardly. The doctor then came in with a clipboard, walking towards Eddie. "Uh, Mr. Kraspbrak, we have the information of the donor, if you would like it. The person who receives the transplant always has the option to know who's organ they received."

Eddie bit his lip but nodded, maybe they had a photo of Richie, maybe he could see his face one last time. The doctor handed him the clipboard and his eyes quickly gazed over the paper, causing his breath to catch in his throat. He dragged his gaze down the face in the photo located next to the name. His eyes weren't met with dark curls and happy eyes, they instead met with dark, straight hair that hung in front of dark eyes. The name next to the photo made his eyes fill up with tears. "Mike Wheeler," He whimpered, looking up to find Bill's eyes full of surprise. 

"My foster brother," Eddie choked out. Bill felt tears drip down his face. 

"Yes, um, we didn't tell you right away because Karen requested we wait." 

"Wait, so what happened to Richie?" Eddie cried, heart filling with guilt for stealing Mike's heart.

"Oh, Mr. Tozier? He has a concussion but other than that he's completely fine," The doctor said. 

Eddie felt himself sigh in relief, knowing that he would get a chance to see, hear, and feel Richie in the future. He heard Bill crying in the background, in relief and sadness combined, but all he cared about right now was seeing the boy who he had spent the last day and a half thinking was dead. "Can I see him?" Eddie asked, but it came out as a plead. 

"Of course, but you'd have to go in a wheelchair of some sort," The doctor said. 

Eddie instantly responded, "Where can I get one." 

"Actually, theres one right there," The doctor pointed to the other side of the room, where a folded up wheelchair sat against the wall. 

_

Eddie put his hands on the wheels as he sped out of the room, Bill on his heels. "282," Eddie whispered underneath his breath, his eyes scanning the doors as he raced down the hallway. Finally, his gaze landed upon the numbers he had been repeating to himself ever since they left the doctors mouth. Eddie turned the wheelchair abruptly towards the door, reaching out to open it. He pushed the door open and wheeled into the room, his breath catching in his throat as his eyes met with the back of a pale figure. 

"Chee?" Eddie's voice squeaked, going further into the room. The figure froze, and turned around. Eddie was then met with the eyes of Richie Tozier. He stood there, in all his glory. There were multiple bruises and cuts scattering his body and face, but Eddie Kaspbrak didn't give a fuck. "Eds?" Richie spoke, his voice hoarse. 

"Rich," Eddie cried out in relief, tears leaking down his face. 

"Eddie," Richie smiled softly, walking over to lean down. Richie cupped Eddie's face, pressing a longing kiss to Eddie's forehead. 

"I thought you were dead," Eddie sobbed, gripping Richie's wrist and pressing a light kiss to the inside of it. 

"What, why?" Richie cooed, rubbing his thumb over Eddie's jawline. 

"They said a teen boy died and he was close to my age, and Bill and Stan said you got into a car crash so we all thought it was your heart inside of me," Eddie gasped out, his breath quickening while reliving the whole experience. 

"I would never leave you," Richie whispered, pressing his forehead against Eddie's. 

Eddie couldn't respond, as his breath was coming out in very short gasps as his chest tightened. "Breathe, Eds, just breathe. I'm here, I'm never leaving," Richie said.

"Mike's dead," Eddie sobbed, holding onto Richie's shoulders. 

"I know," Richie nodded, frowning, "He was an amazing guy, he didn't deserve it."

"He saved my life, Rich," Eddie slowly stopped crying. 

"I know, and I will forever be in dept to him," Richie said, his voice cracking halfway. "Go back to your room, love. You need rest." 

"What if I wake up and this is a dream?" Eddie shuddered.

"I promise you it's not. I love you," Richie said, letting his lips brush up against Eddie's. The fireworks that erupted in Eddie's stomach at the motion gave him the affirmation that this was indeed reality.