learning // reddie

chapter eight: a touch of love

Songs for this chapter:

-The Night We Met // Lord Huron
- Please Don't Leave Me // P!nk
- With Or Without You // U2
(any other songs you think would fit)

———————————————

trigger warnings| mention of domestic violence, child abuse, and Münchausen Syndrome by proxy.

<><><><><><><><><>
first person point of view: richie tozier
time: 10:56 p.m, six minutes after eddie and sonia's leave.

i quickly thanked sonia and eddie for coming and dashed up the stairs, fearful to meet face to face with my father. who knew what mood he'd be in.
"richard, get back down here! you have dishes to clean and floors to vacuum!" maggie's voice shrilled, floating up the staircase and coming to a stop at my ears. "yes, ma'am!" i called back, making sure not to anger my father more than he already was or will be.
as soon as i'd grabbed the vacuum out of the small closet, i'd known i was fucked. wentworth was sitting at the table, drunkenly slouched, vodka bottle almost downed in his left hand. in his right, a leather, worn belt laid; it was "loved" by the skin of my arms and legs, torn by the crack of hitting me so hard.
"hmm? what's you doing up s'late?" wentworth slurred, his speech intoxicated by the alcohol. his fingers loosened and unloosened around the bottle, knuckles whitening and unwhitening. i gulped quickly, thickly swallowing. "mom told me to vacuum and wash the dishes, sir," i replied, standing a little straighter against the doorframe of the closet.
"whatever, you useless piece o'shit. go clean or something," wentworth slurred again, mumbling around the fuzziness in his throat. my heart sunk lower than ever, for when he was in a drunken state was when his words hurt me the most. when he was drunk, he had no control over what he said. when he was drunk, he cared about me even less. when he was drunk, the words that came out of his mouth had no filter, and he meant everything he said.
my head hung low as i vacuumed, secretly wishing i was a piece of dust; wishing i was able to be swept away by the sucking of the machine, able to be forgotten, for it'd be even better than this hellhole of a house. my feet, feeling heavy, shuffled towards the pantry, where i searched for something to comfort my uneasy stomach.
my eyes settled on something burgundy colored; in the bottom of the pantry sat a half-full bottle of red wine, tempting and oh-so irresistible. my gaze darted to the man at my table, passed out cold and my mother, snoring on the couch. i took my chance.
snagging the bottle, i ran out of the house and into the front lawn, where i could drink in peace. i popped the cork out with the tip of my thumb, and tipped the bottle back, relishing in the sweet flavor of cheap ass wine.
i chugged until my throat burned, my stomach protested, my head swam, and i forgot all of my hurt.

———————

first person point of view: eddie kaspbrak.
time: 11:05 p.m.

i lay in bed later that night, sniffling from crying. my eyes burnt and my throat ached and all i wanted was the relief of sleep, but it never came. instead, recollections of the event earlier swam to the surface.

"Eddie-Bear, take your meds before you go to sleep, darling!" sonia cheered, a tight smile adorning her wrinkled cheeks. i sighed, and her look of happiness dropped into concern. "sweetheart, are you alright? maybe we should take you to dr. smith-" she began, but i quickly cut her off. "no mommy, i'm okay. i'll take them," i told her, and she quickly returned to the artificial sonia she was earlier. "okay, dear! make sure to sleep early, tonight. it's christmas eve!" she reminded me, and i scowled. i looked at the counter and gathered the pills into a pile before noticing a new pill; bright lime green and circular, it was no bigger than the nail of my pinkie finger.
"mommy? what's this one for?" i asked, worried. not only was a baby blue pill now on my medicinal list, but this as well? she looked at me softly, shaking her head slightly. "you shouldn't speak out of turn, dear. it's an extra vitamin," she tutted, and my mouth was agape. she'd make me die of vitamin overdose at this rate.
"but, mommy-" "eddie, goddamn it, just take the pill!" she shouted at me, quickly slapping my cheek harshly. i looked up at her in not surprise, but defiance. i narrowed my eyes at her, and she looked shocked before recovering. "go to bed, now," she growled, wringing her hands together. i stomped up the stairs, tears springing into my eyes.

god, i hated when she acted like that. like i was sick, recovering from god knows what. i shivered, cowering beneath my thick blankets. i sprang up when i heard a quick knock on my window, followed by a few other knocks in a little rhythm. i grabbed the baseball bat my mother had given me for "protection," and swung my curtains open to reveal richie, beautiful and clumsy, crouching down.
my eyes widened, and so did his before he began to giggle. i unlatched the lock, opening the window only to have him fall in on his back, creating a thump.
"richie! oh my god, get up, get up! that was so loud!" i whisper yelled, but he only laughed more.
"aw, eds! you're s'cute," he slurred, and i gasped. "richie, are you fucking drunk right now?" i asked, my mouth agape. he only smiled goofily, his eyes squinting. "ugh, fuck. rich, you need to be a bit quieter, then," i told him, wrapping an arm around his waist to guide him into the bathroom.
"where's we goin, babe?" he said, attempting to wink at me. i almost laughed before i realized my mother was in the room next door. "shh, my mom's sleeping. we don't want to wake her up," i whispered, but he shook his head. "c'mon, eds! i'm s-s-sure i could show her a gooooood time!" he said, stretching out "good" so long it was almost humorous. i only punched his bicep, and he whimpered.
"oh, shit! sorry, rich," i apologized, rubbing his arm in an attempt to relieve his pain. this only made him whine more, and i frowned in confusion. drawing up his sleeve, i gasped at the angry purple and green bruises littering his arm.
"hey, that's private property, sweetheart! however," he looked down to his lower region, "this isn't." my eyebrows creased deeper. "rich.. what happened?" i whispered, captivated by the multiple shades of yellows and greens. he slid his sleeve down, kissing the tip of my nose. "nothin, ssssuga', don't worry 'bout it," he whispered, his s' slurred.
he looked at me with so much fear in his intoxicated eyes that i dropped it. "okay, but i need to brush my teeth and shit. just," i plopped him down onto the toilet seat covering, "sit here for now." he saluted me dutifully before slouching heavily, his face rested into his hands. his eyes never left me, watching me.
i brushed my teeth, making sure to wash my face afterwards. he laughed at me as i got the lemon face wash in my eye, before grabbing a damp washcloth to tentatively wipe at my eye. i admired his gentleness. his breath fanned over my face, a mixture of something sour-like and a sickeningly sweet smell of oranges.
he followed me back into my room, still very drunk. i laid down in my bed, shutting my lamp off and scooting over when richie sat down on the floor. "uh-uh, up here, doofus," i said, patting at the spot next to me. he gratefully climbed in, his cold hands wrapping around my arm, clutching it to his chest.
"you're s'warm, eds, like the sun," he mumbled, nuzzling his head into my chest. "my sun," he whispered, and i almost didn't hear him, but i flushed a deep red. "'chee, go to sleep, sweetheart. it's christmas tomorrow," i yawned, wrapping my free arm around him. i could feel him kiss at my jawline, whispering a "good night, my eddie spaghetti," as he began to snore.

"good night, 'chee."
—————————

SORRY! I've had absolutely no motivation for this story, but I'm back and somewhat better!

let me know if you enjoyed it!
-nat ✰

(1,424 words).