Richie collapsed on the bed in the shared cabin, shaking his head to try to get the excess water off. He was still cold but didn't really pay it much attention.
His mind was stuck on the fact that Eddie wanted to save him. That made Richie think that maybe he felt the same? No, they couldn't be together.
"Not as people from Divisus," Richie mumbled, pulling the covers over himself and trying to create some heat.
"You like him, huh?" Stan asked, standing in the doorway and smiling softly at Richie. "You really like him."
"No I don't," Richie said, his eyes still closed and burrowing deeper into the blankets. "He's just a kid that needed saving."
"If we hadn't walked out you two would've kissed."
Richie couldn't deny that that probably would've happened. "So what? Is there another reason you're here?"
"Henry asked to see you after I gave him breakfast. Says you need to hear the truth. It's up to you, so do what you want. I'm just relaying the message."
Richie opened his eyes a little and watched Stan leave. For a while he laid in the bed, secretly wishing Eddie would come see him and lay with him. They wouldn't have to say anything, but Richie would feel a lot more comfortable knowing that Eddie was safe. Unfortunately, he never entered the room.
Richie knew he wouldn't be able to sleep without holding Eddie, so he got up and walked to the deck. He saw Mike and Stan chatting at the table on the deck and decided not to bug them. He noticed that Bev and Eddie were sitting on the ground, playing some kind of game with rocks and a deck of cards. Eventually Richie ended up in the cells where Henry was laying on the wooden bed in his cell.
"Didn't think you'd come to visit," Henry said with a smirk, sitting up and running a hand through his hair.
"Trust me, it's not because I want to. I couldn't sleep."
"What, do you want me to read you a bedtime story?"
Richie rolled his eyes. "Stan said you wanted to tell me something. Spill."
Henry smirked again and stood up. "You're going to die for killing Patrick. Everyone you care about will get killed. Lucantians cant be trusted," he said, but his eyes showed he wasn't done talking.
"I'll let you know if I ever decide to take any of your bullshit to heart. Have a shitty day," Richie said, standing to leave.
"Are you just jealous that I got to see the Lucantian before you?"
Richie stopped in his tracks, his blood running cold. He didn't know whether it was Patrick or Henry or both who had hurt Eddie, but he was livid that Henry would speak that way about Eddie.
Henry laughed behind him. "You are, aren't you? He was good, Rich. Should've seen how weak he was. If you'd worked with us we may have let you have a turn-"
Henry was cut off when Richie reached through the bars of the cell and pulled Henry against the bars so they were face to face.
"Do not ever speak about him again. Don't you fucking dare," Richie said in a low, terrifying voice.
Henry looked like he regretted what he said for a second, but then he regained his cool. "You know he screamed for you right? Screamed for you to help him. Too bad you weren't there."
Richie threw Henry away from him and stormed away. He couldn't listen to Henry's bullshit. It had left a painful ache in his stomach, knowing Eddie needed his help and he couldn't be there.
That must've been why Eddie was screaming that he'd let it happen. He thought Richie could've helped but let them hurt him.
"That's not true!" Richie yelled to himself, slamming his hand into the wall of the ship. "It's not fucking true!"
He heard footsteps and saw Eddie standing a few feet away from him, clearly unsure of what to do. It was clear he knew Richie was upset, but Richie could tell he wasn't really afraid.
"You should be careful or you'll rip your bandages," Eddie said, taking Richie's hand and groaning when he saw the rips in the bandages. "Good job, now I have to clean these up again."
Richie winked. "Something tells me you like my hands being around you."
Eddie rolled his eyes. "Watch it, Richie."
"Sorry, Eds," Richie responded, though he didn't look at all sorry and was still grinning widely while Eddie led him to the deck.
They'd left the medical kit on the deck, so Eddie made him sit down. The others were nowhere to be seen.
"They all went to take naps. Tiring day, but we should arrive in Pona within a week. Mine said we might get real beds if they don't try to send us back," Eddie said, looking hopeful for the chance to be allowed to live somewhere that wasn't Divisus.
"That's great," Richie said with a genuine smile, pleased with how joyous Eddie seemed. "Maybe they'll let us share."
Eddie scoffed but he was blushing. "You're disgusting," he said quietly, rewrapping Richie's hands and sitting next to him on the bench for the table.
"It's charm, Eds."
"Is that what people are calling it?" Eddie asked, though he was smirking and still had a pink tinge to his face.
"Oh, my sweet Eds, we know you can't resist my charm!" Richie exclaimed dramatically, wrapping his arms around Eddie.
"You're not charming. You're irritating."
"Irritation is better than a cannibalistic psychopath who's into killing, though," Richie said, resting his chin on Eddie's head, the soft hair brushing against his cheeks.
"You're not like what I've been taught."
"That's good."
Eddie turned around and smiled at Richie. "It really is," he whispered, scooting closer to Richie so their knees were touching.
Richie felt like he couldn't breathe. He really wanted to kiss Eddie, Lucantian or not. He wondered if Eddie would sense his fear, as he was looking at Richie suspiciously.
"Like what you see, Eds?" Richie asked in a joking tone, trying to calm his nerves.
However, his heart started racing when Eddie climbed into his lap, wrapping his arms around Richie's neck and resting his face on his collar bone.
"You have no idea," Eddie whispered in his ear. "Neither do I though. Why do I want you so much, Tenebrian?"
Richie decided it was his turn to be bold. He ran his fingers through Eddie's hair and pulled at it, moving Eddie's head so they were making eye contact.
"They say opposites attract, Lucantian," Richie whispered, smiling when Eddie's eyes widened and his breathing got a little quicker. "Want to find out?"
Eddie nodded eagerly, his gaze shifting between Richie's eyes and his lips as Richie leaned in, moving his hand so it was cupping Eddie's cheek.
Both allowed their eyes to flutter closed, trusting their confusing connection would guide them. It seemed to work, and Eddie soon felt Richie's lips ghosting over his.
He decided to make the move and pressed his head forward, his lips slotting with Richie's. Their lips moved together peacefully and slowly.
Richie was gripping Eddie's hip with one hand, cupping his cheek with the other. Eddie was running his fingers through Richie's hair, trying to pull him closer.
When they finally pulled away, they made eye contact, both of their faces flushed.
"That was amazing," Eddie whispered, running his thumb over Richie's cheek.
Richie nodded hugging Eddie tightly. "I don't care where we came from, Eds. I'm going to protect you as best as I can."
Eddie pressed a kiss to Richie's neck. "I'll hold you to it," he whispered, feeling Richie chuckle softly.
