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vingt-cinq

Notes: ugh this chapter's a mess I kinda hate it

The bonfire is mostly a random get-together, but it happens to fall just before Richie's birthday, and you bet your ass Eddie Kaspbrak is going to make it all about Richie.

Ben and Mike are chatting quietly as they carefully set up their tent, step-by-step. Beverly and Bill are fighting with the tent poles, using them like swords. The weather has finally warmed up, but since Derry tends to get freezing at night year-round, Stan, Richie, and Eddie are making a bonfire. Plus, why wouldn't you make a bonfire regardless?

Stan flicks the lighter in his hand for the millionth time, red grooves pressed into his thumb. He scoffs in frustration, holding a leaf above the lighter.

"Goddamnit, this stupid thing won't work." He says.

Eddie's eyes narrow a little bit as Richie reaches his hands out. Let me try.

"Let me try." Richie says, as Eddie predicted. Now he'll light it first try. Richie flicks the lighter, running the leaf over the flame. He tosses it into the fire.

Stan's expression is one of dismay and disbelief. Richie laughs now. Sure enough, the lanky boy laughs at Stan's face. Eddie knew it was coming, but he can't help smiling anyway. He wonders for a second if there's any possible way he can break away from the visions, do something he hadn't seen, or if what he's doing now is influencing what he saw in the past, and therefore he can't escape the scenario he's destined to carry out... it makes his head hurt, and he stops thinking about it.

Eddie hadn't seen anything after Richie's laugh. He's glad to be free of the vision he'd seen all those nights ago. He can't predict what's going to happen anymore, can't predict Richie's behavior, and that's just the way he likes it.

"You guys done with the tents yet?" Stan calls out.

Ben and Mike reply that they've finished their first tent, while Beverly and Bill both freeze with tent poles in their hands, giggling nervously. They begin actually setting up the structure.

The group finishes the tents as Stan tends the fire. It slowly grows, consuming the fuel Stan had carefully arranged, until it's about Eddie's height.

"Now that's a bonfire, baby!" Richie cheers. "Anyone have gasoline?"

One by one, The Losers Club gathers around the fire, all sitting on tree stumps, a fallen tree, or the ground. The sun is beginning to set, the teens' faces illuminated solely by flickering firelight.

"Truth or dare?" Beverly suggests, and a mischievous grin spreads across Richie's face.

"Yes." He says with such enthusiasm that everyone else agrees immediately.

"Who's going first?" Beverly asks. Stan raises his hand, and the Losers stare in surprise.

"Alright, Ace!" Richie claps him on the back, sending Stan forward a little bit. He glares at Richie.

Stan looks over at Eddie, then Richie, then Beverly, thinking hard. Calculating, almost. He smiles.

"Richie, truth or dare?"

"Dare, obviously." Richie scoffs. Eddie silently admires his bravery.

"I dare you to kiss Bev."

Beverly furrows her brow at Stan, frowning. She tries to read his face, and Stan looks at Eddie. Beverly smiles, making a soft, "oh," sound.

"Kiss Bev? Why?" Richie asks, perplexed. Stan raises his eyebrows, and Richie gets the message. "Oh, shit, Stan. I get it. Wow, I'm impressed. Evil mastermind."