real; reddie

f i v e

"i really hate this."

the couple sits at their kitchen table, sipping on warm tea as they chat. richie's hair is curly, pushed back with a headband, and he looks tired. eddie is sure he looks similar in that aspect.

"me too, baby," richie coos, taking a drink from his mug. "it sucks having to pretend. but it's not for long. and it's not like anything is going to change between us, really."

"i know," eddie mumbles, and he's pouting, because he'd picked up a number of stubborn traits from his significant other in the while that they'd been together. "still sucks."

eddie's phone rings just as he's about to say something else, and he checks it after a moment. "it's from bev. she's asking me if i would care if they'd invite both of us to a group hangout. since we're broken up and all."

"tell her that's fine," richie decides after a few seconds of contemplation. "gives us more of a chance to prove we're not together, right?"

"i agree," eddie hums, typing out a message to his friend to tell her to invite them both. "plus, it sucks that we can't hang out in public anymore. it'll be nice to be able to be in a big group, still, if nothing else."

richie smiles sweetly, and he stands from his seat at the table, crossing over to where his boyfriend sits. eddie is still typing out a message, and richie pulls out the smaller boys chair, grabbing his hand gently to get him to stand. eddie giggles as his significant other pulls him into a soft hug, resting his chin on his head, fingers rubbing up and down his back. "i love you so much."

"i love you, baby," eddie mumbles, turning off his phone and putting it on the table before burying his face in rich's chest. "so much."

another phone goes off, but it's a different ringtone then eddie's, and so richie unwraps his arms to check the message. he laughs a bit. "it's bev. inviting me to the pub downtown friday night."

"tell her you'll go," eddie instructs, checking his phone to find the exact same message.

"hmm," richie hums, clucking his tongue as if he was considering actually not going. "i don't think i will. hanging out with exes is pretty awkward."

eddie's gaze narrows playfully, and he crosses his arms over his chest. "don't test me."

richie purses his lips, making kissy noises. "i love you, but i'm telling you, eds, i don't know if i'll be able to deal with being around my ex boyfriend at that table."

eddie rolls his eyes, and then darts to the living room, grabbing a couch cushion and chucking it at richie's head. rich gasps dramatically, catching the pillow midair. "you did not just."

"i did just."

richie doesn't hesitate before making a move to catch his boyfriend. eddie squeals in shock as he tries to dodge, but richie picks him up so quickly that he can't get more than a foot away.

"put me down!" he giggles, and richie just tsks, moving toward the couch and throwing him down on it.