not my forte || reddie

Thirteen

Sonia had gone to the courthouse earlier this morning, she left in a flurry quick to be there just as they opened.
The woman had her fair share of bad qualities but her heart was in the right place when it came to loving and caring for Eddie. It filled Richie with rage when he found out the reason Eddie struggled so much was because his mother was pumping him full of pills but in a way Richie understood it. He understood it perfectly after Eddie opened up to him about his dads death. Richie knew how it felt to lose someone and trying your hardest not to lose anyone else. But Richie ended up losing that too.

Richie stayed curled up on the couch, a hand crocheted quilt wrapped loosely around his shoulders. His eyes were glazed over as the television ran. It provided noise to fill the silence, Richie not really watching it. He had been practically comatose over the weekend, not moving from his spot on the couch and barely eating much of anything.
Eddie tip toed around him, the times he would speak he spoke like he was walking on glass. Scared Richie could break at any given moment.

But Richie was already broken.
There was no doubt about that, he was a sad broken kid. The kind an English teacher would make you read a depressing New York Times article about and how they bounced back and used their sorrows to lift up others resiliently. Except Richie just slumped on the couch and ate primarily ice cream and soup. Eddie forced him to eat fruits if it was the only thing he brought him, he popped a raspberry past his lips crushing the sour berry under his teeth.

As his fingers ghosted over his lips he could feel a stubble coming on. Richie would shave his mustache unlike most the boys in his grade who wore theirs with pride, he started after Eddie complained about it being scratchy. For Eddie, Richie thought his head lolling to the side. His wide eyes squinted against the abrasive kitchen light, Eddie was sat silently at the dining table straining over some math homework. Richie noticed he was clearly frustrated and frequently would space out or just shove the paper out of sight.
Richie was an 'A' student, but teachers hated him for his behavioral issues. He just loved making people laugh.

But Richie couldn't remember the last time he laughed.
"Do you need help?" His voice came out strained and croaky. He put a hand to his throat and reached for the glass of water in front of him taking a swig.
Eddie watched on sympathetically and shook his head, "I'm alright Rich, just watch your show." He uttered softly his voice unconvincing.

Richie blinked before huffing his eyes squinting but not from the light. It was annoyance this time. He tucked the blanket tighter around his shoulders and got up crossing the room to sit in the chair beside Eddie. Eddie opened his mouth to protest Richie quickly intervening.
"What are you having trouble with?" He asked clearing his throat.

Eddie sighed and turned the paper toward him his face blushing red from embarrassment. Richie took the paper to look over it then softly began explaining the method he needed to use. Eddie followed along eagerly then began flying through the problems.
Richie rested his cheek on the tabletop watching Eddie through one eye, "You doubt yourself." Richie mumbled. Eddie paused his scratching and met Riches eyes, he dropped his pen and sunk his fingers into Richies raven hair scratching his scalp.
"And you need a shower." He replied scrunching his nose up teasingly.

Richie brought his arm up and sniffed himself, coughing in disgust. Eddie snickered in response and ruffled Richies hair. Richie yawned and slumped back against the chair stretching his arms over his head. He winked cheekily, "Will you join me?" Richie grumbled in his gravelly voice from lack of use.

Eddie mouth hung agape before rightfully smacking Richie in the chest.
"Don't say that! You're so gross.." Eddie chided shoving his homework into a cherry red folder labeled in neat handwriting, 'Eddie K.'
Richie leaned in quick placing a chaste kiss to Eddies sharp cheekbone. He hesitated before pulling away breathing in the sweet aromatic that came with Eddie. Richie kept his eyes closed and deeply inhaled, "Apircot shampoo, and a hint of vanilla? Where's that comin' from Ed's?" Richie cracked an eye open suspiciously and leaned back.