Confident

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Song: Home Sweet Home by Mötley Crüe

November 22, 1993

Eddie leans against the door waiting for Richie. He's just knocked. He tilts his head downwards while he waits, counting all the different supplies. That's when he realizes he forgot the pasta sauce. Richie's been cooking more and more, especially since Eddie loves it so much. Eddie's also an awful cook, so Richie wants to help as much as possible. At least he can bake.

The two had made these plans on Eddie's birthday only a few days prior. Unfortunately Eddie hadn't seen Richie since, despite it being Thanksgiving break. The boy was supposed to come over last night, but his mother had asked him to stay home. Still, it's Thanksgiving break. He would've figured that Richie would want to be out and about everyday, but he hadn't even bothered to call. Maybe he's been sleeping all day. Or he might be sick. Eddie's not sure, but he hopes their plans are still on.

Suddenly the door swings open, Eddie's head is still down. "Hey, so I totally forgot the pasta sauce. We might have to go get some. Also it's freezing cold, why the hell did you take so long?" He finally lifts his eyes, meeting the other's gaze. His eyes widen at the sight. "Oh sorry. I didn't know you'd be home."

The man before him has the same sharp nose as Richie. His eyes, however, are more dull. His stare pierces through Eddie, leaving the hair on his arms to stand. He wonders how Richie leaves him warm, when his father leaves him so cold. At least he assumes it's the father. He's never actually seen him. Not even in pictures. Their house is pretty simple. There's only one painting in the living room, a calendar in the kitchen, some plants that belong to his mother, but that's it. The walls, for the most part, stay bare. It's not like Richie would want to show pictures. The boy didn't even talk of them.

"Can I help you?" The man seems irritated.

Eddie gives a smile, but his charm doesn't seem to work on him. "I'm Eddie. I'm here for Richie."

The stranger reaches a hand up, pinching his nose in annoyance. Eddie wonders how the man could become so angry so fast. He hadn't even done anything. "Fucking hell," he mutters under his breath, "and who the fuck are you to him?"

Eddie gulps now. It's not like him to hide himself, but Richie's secret is not his to tell. "I'm his friend."

"Listen, kid, I don't have time for this shit-..."

"With all due respect, sir, but I am going to go up and see Richie. So if you'll excuse me." It's taking more and more for him to keep calm.

The small boy tries to maneuver past the tall man, but sometimes scenarios like these are a little harder with his small frame. Richie's dad easily steps between the door, blocking Eddie from entering. Eddie scoffs at this. "I'm not gonna let some queer see my son."

"Yeah? Well this queer has been seeing your son a lot more than you, yeah?"

"What the fuck did you just say to me, kid?"

Eddie's cheeks glow red, he's almost certain his eyes are too. The boy charges into the house with all the force he can muster. Soon he's stumbling in and racing to Richie's room. Along the way he passes a woman with the same high cheek bones and jaw as Richie. Now he sees where he got his looks. And hair. The woman's hair is put in a loose ponytail, but it's still just as curly and dark. She's quite beautiful, at least Eddie thinks. The bruise that covers half of her face makes it hard to tell.

Eventually she looks over to see him stare. She lowers a frozen pack of peas and sets her glass of wine on a nearby table. Her gaze is confused, but Eddie doesn't have time to dwell. The bruise alarms him more than ever.

"Richie? Rich? Chee?" Eddie's calling down the hall, still rushing towards the room.

He arrives, swings the door open, and spots the boy curled up on the bed. He's turned away from Eddie. The small boy almost thinks he's asleep, but soon enough he's turning over and staring up at him. It looks like he hasn't slept a wink. His eyes don't shimmer the way they did just a few days ago.

His eyes also happen to be red, very red. The male seems mostly out of it. He's definitely high.

"Are you okay?" Eddie knows it's dumb, but he has to ask. He sets down the groceries before making a move towards the bed.

Richie allows, scooting over to give him all the room he needs. When he finally sits up, the light from the window peaks in, hitting his face just right. It's now that Eddie notices the bruise that litters his right cheek. A horrified expression takes over him. A terrible feeling sinks to his gut.

"They got back last night." Richie shrugs while turning away from Eddie's stare. He feels ashamed.

"He hit you?"

Richie doesn't respond and Eddie is on his feet in no time. He drags himself to Richie's closet, grabs a duffle bag, and begins piling things in. Richie's up now too and grabs the bag away. "What are you doing?"

"What the fuck do you think? You'll stay with me. At least for now."

"Eds-..."

"No, Richie! No excuses. You're coming with me."

"What about my mom?"

Eddie's dumbstruck. "What? You mean the mom who left for months? Did she even try and stop him?"

"She needs me." Richie's voice is so weak.

Eddie takes the bag back and continues packing. "Okay."

"You're still-..."

"We'll visit. The both of us. I'll come with you when you want to see her."

Richie sighs, tugging at his sleeves. "You don't get it, Eddie. Then I won't be able to stop him from hurting her."

"That's not on you! It's not your fault. You're a kid, Rich! A kid!"

"Eddie, I can't!"

"Richie Tozier if you say one more fucking thing. I am not letting you stay here. Okay? You're coming with me. That's not a request. Do it for me, okay? Please? Please, Chee? I-I can't." Eddie doesn't remember when the tears first hit his cheeks, but he can't seem to stop. The idea of Richie getting hurt is too much to handle.

Richie tilts his head down. He knows what Eddie's doing is manipulative in a way, but he also knows that he cares. He actually cares. It's not for pretend or for show. The boy chose him to love and so he should let him. Eddie's been doing so good. He would hate to be a cause of a potential downfall. Plus, Sonia has been better than ever. She adores Richie, which is much more than he can say about his own mother. He loves her, he really does. But she's too far gone to take care of herself. She's not capable of loving a child. Not right now.

"Okay."

Eddie's tears still flow, but he finally wipes his nose. "Yeah?"

"Sonia does love me. That's what she said last n-..."

"Beep beep, Richie." Eddie's hands cup the other's face. He exams him, really exams him. Though his eyes aren't as light as they were the last time Eddie saw him, they could still light the entire sky. "I love you."

Richie cracks a smile. A few more lights appear. "I love you too, Eds."

Eddie nods before taking his hands away. The two pack together now. Neither say a word. The air around them is suffocating. Eddie feels as if everything is going to collapse if he doesn't get out of there soon.

After checking the room multiple times for any missed items of need, the two leave. They leave carefully and quietly, hand in hand. After officially making it out of the house and into the car, the two let out a giant breath. Everything is packed up. Richie's bag, the groceries, and even Eddie's bike. They're set to go, but still Richie finds it hard to back away.

His mother is still good. Despite everything, he still loves her. Without him there's no hope. She'll continue being a corpse. But Eddie is right. That's not on him.

Eddie is his home now. He has been for a long time.