real; reddie

n i n e

a/n: should i do a whole ass comeback and write more and publish more and actually add new books? hahhaha just kidding.,,,, unless....?

"do you know whose number this is?"

it's the next morning, around eleven, and eddie wakes up to a message from an unknown number on his phone.

richie squints his eyes through the morning sun and rolls over, grabbing his own cell to check if he has the contact saved. he doesn't, and so eddie sends back a quick inquiry surrounding the unidentified person.

it doesn't take long for a reply to roll in.

unknown: so you and richie are still together, huh?

eddie's throat closes up. they didn't give a name, but there is no way this could be good.

eddie: will?

it definitely isn't any of their friends. he has all of their numbers saved. and how would someone random from the pub get his number? there was only one other person it could be, and...

unknown: bingo.

eddie feels lightheaded. he knows that this won't end well.

eddie: i don't know what you're talking about.

"what's going on, baby?" richie questions, voice heavy from sleep. his curls flop into his eyes, and he rolls towards his boyfriend, reaching out and pulling him closer. "who is it?"

eddie doesn't say anything, just tilts his phone enough for richie to read the messages exchanged between the two boys.

richie's jaw clenches. eds' boyfriend doesn't typically get mad, but for some reason, will really pushes his buttons.

unknown: i know you two are still together. and i don't know the reason, but i do know that you don't want people finding out.

richie's breathing becomes heavy. eddie moves one of his own hands to grab rich's, hoping to relax him a bit.

eddie: you're delusional.

richie buries his face in eddie's shoulder as they wait for a response.

unknown: i heard you two talking in the bathroom, so cut the shit.

"fuck," richie curses under his breath. "god fucking dammit, of course it would be him."

eddie: what do you want?

"i swear to fucking god, if he says..."

unknown: go out with me.

richie sucks in a deep breath. "i'm going to kill him. just watch me fucking kill him."

"no, you're not," eddie mumbles.

eddie: i'm with richie. why would i go out with you?

no texts come through for a few minutes. eddie puts his phone down and turns around in his boyfriend's arms, reaching his hands up to his face and brushing his thumbs across his red cheeks. "relax, baby."

"who the fuck does he think he is?" richie questions, and his grip on eddie's waist tightens, pulling him closer to his chest. "why in the world does he think he has the right to do this?"

"i don't know," eddie's voice is calm, even. "but there's nothing we can do about that. okay? it doesn't matter what he thinks, anyway."

"i fucking hate him. i hate him so much. why the fuck won't he leave you alone? can he not take a hint?"

"stop stressing so much, darling. he's not the one that gets to come home to me. he's not the one that dances around the living room with me and tickles me and cuddles me. he's not the one i kiss before bed every night. whatever he thinks does not matter. only what you think, and what i think."

richie is definitely calmer. he kisses him, and eddie's mind blanks completely as rich pulls him even closer, if even possible, his arms lacing around his neck.

the dinging of eddie's phone pulls them apart, and he moves to check the message.

unknown: because if you don't, i'll tell everyone you're faking.