They finally arrived in the docks of Pona after nearly nine days on the ship. In that time, Eddie and Richie got even closer, but hadn't done anything after they kissed. Somehow, a wedge had managed to force itself between them after they kissed and confessed that they didn't care about where they came from.
It wasn't like they weren't speaking; Eddie shot Richie with his sarcasm whenever he could and Richie would make dumb sex jokes whenever he felt it was necessary. It was just that, though. They didn't talk about dating or doing anything besides being friendly with each other.
It was pissing Bev off. While she still believed it was dangerous for the pair to want each other, she also could tell how much they needed each other. It wasn't hard to see; oftentimes she noticed Eddie gazing longingly at Richie and saw Richie's small smiles of adoration when Eddie wasn't looking. She'd tried to get Richie to just ask Eddie out, but he wouldn't have it.
Bev knew it'd take a while, and she was going to do whatever it took to make sure the pair got together.
Richie was asleep when the ship docked. He and Eddie had gone to separate beds, though Eddie would often climb into his during the early hours of the morning.
It was around three in the morning when Eddie woke up. He was cold and about to climb into Richie's bed with him when he heard voices from the outside and noticed that Stan was nowhere to be seen.
He groaned and shivered, walking toward the stairs and climbing up to the top. He saw that Stan and Mike were there, peering over the edge of the ship. Mike was yelling out over the edge, and it occurred to Eddie that they must be close to a dock.
"Stan? What's going on?" Eddie asked, walking over to where the pair was standing.
"Docking," Stan replied, looking over at Eddie who was shivering and wrapped up in Richie's coat. "Go wake up Bev and Richie. We need to be ready and be together."
Eddie nodded and walked back the way he came.
At first he'd been against taking orders, his Lucantian instinct taking over. However, over the course of the week they spent on the ship, Eddie learned that it was a team effort to keep the group running. So, he gave up on the common response to be offended when others told him what to do and became part of the team.
He made his way down to the cabins and gently shook Bev's shoulder.
Her icy blue eyes fluttered open and she had a confused look on her face. "What's going on?" she asked, rubbing her eyes and sitting up.
"We're docking. Stan and Mike want us all upstairs," Eddie said, making his way over to Richie and shaking his shoulder.
Richie opened his eyes a bit and grinned, grabbing Eddie and pulling him down next to him. He wrapped his arms tightly around Eddie, pressing his face into Eddie's hair.
Eddie tried to pull away and tell Richie to wake up, but it was very clear he was still half asleep. He looked to Bev for help, but she just smirked and winked.
"I'll leave you to it," she said, running a hand through her hair and jogging up the stairs.
"Richie, get up," Eddie said in an irritated voice, trying to push Richie's arm off of him. "We need to get up."
Richie groaned and buried his face in Eddie's hair, ignoring the boy he was holding.
"Richie, come on." Eddie was way smaller than Richie, so he was unsuccessful in getting Richie's arms off of him.
"I just wanna cuddle with you, Eds," Richie said sleepily, moving his face so his lips were against his ear. "You're not fighting so clearly you want to stay, too."
Eddie rolled his eyes. Of course he'd rather be sleeping with Richie than going into a new land where he'd probably be hated.
Everyone hated Lucantians.
"Yeah, but we need to get up. We're in Pona and Stan said if we're not all together they might separate us," Eddie said, sounding more urgent but not fighting against Richie's grasp.
Richie groaned again and helped Eddie turn around so they were facing each other. They hadn't kissed or been intimate whatsoever after their first kiss, but the moment they were sharing seemed so much more personal.
Richie ran his thumb across Eddie's cheek and let his hand settle on the side of Eddie's neck. "You're so gorgeous," Richie breathed out, smiling softly.
Eddie felt the blush creeping up his neck and on his cheeks. "Thanks," he whispered. "You're very nice looking yourself."
"Stop sounding like a Lucantian and just say I'm sexy," Richie said with a wink, making Eddie laugh and scoot closer to Richie.
"I don't lie, sorry."
"You wound me."
Eddie rolled his eyes playfully. "We both know I've got you wrapped around my finger."
"Please," Richie said with a laugh. "We're not even dating."
Eddie nodded. "Are you going to ask me out or are you waiting for me?" he asked, feeling a bit nervous.
Richie sat up and shook his head. "I don't know if we should, Eddie."
Eddie's face flushed red in embarrassment and tears pricked at his eyes due to the blunt rejection. "Oh, uh, I'm sorry. I should've have said that, I just thought-"
Richie cut him off by pressing a kiss to his lips, pulling Eddie into his lap. When they broke away, Richie spoke in response to Eddie's embarrassed rambles.
"I do want to be with you, but I don't think it's a good idea until we know we can be safely. If we're too committed to each other we might make a dumb choice later."
Eddie felt the tear run down his cheek before he registered the fact that he was crying. "That doesn't make sense. Why don't you want me? Is it because I'm Lucantian? Did I do something wrong?"
Richie's heart broke a little at that. "No, you didn't do anything. I swear, Eds. I'm scared that if it gets out that we're together that people might use it against us. I can't protect you if we're together, Eds. They'll hurt you," he tried to explain, but Eddie pushed away from him and began to pace the room.
"Don't you realize that I'm afraid, too? You're in more danger than I am! I don't care about that, though!" he stopped pacing and made dangerous eye contact with Richie. "I really like you and I want to know you better, Rich. I want to be with you."
"So do I," Richie claimed, a pleading tone in his voice. "Eddie, I really do, but we can't-"
"Why?! Is it really about my safety or is it because of who I am?! Are you scared of what others will think if you like a Lucantian?! I know that I don't give a fuck about what my parents or brother would think! I like you for you!"
"I want to keep you safe!" Richie yelled, getting more upset with Eddie and his accusations.
"I don't care, Richie! The only time I needed your protection was when Henry and Patrick fucking abused me! You weren't there, though! I think I can take care of myself, so if you just don't want me because of what I am, then I don't want anything to do with you!" Eddie shouted, tears in his eyes and his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles were white.
"Eddie-" Richie said, but Eddie cut him off again.
"Don't talk to me, Tenebrian. I don't have time for your bullshit excuses."
That's the first time Richie realized that Eddie may be a soft Lucantian, but he was also a short-tempered spitfire.
He watched Eddie stomp his way up the stairs, trying to think around the venomous words Eddie had spat at him seconds before.
