The Aftermath (Reddie)

57

3rd Person POV

There Richie was, standing out in the rainy streets of the city.

He had taken bus after bus until he had almost forgotten why he was even on a bus in the first place. But his hand was still tightly holding a piece of paper with an address scribbled on it.

Eddie's address.

He was going to see Eddie again.

He had made it through the last years of high school without Eddie, and that was way too long.

It had been hardly twenty four hours since Richie graduated. The moment he stepped off of the small Derry stage, he ran right home to pack and change for the trip.

He didn't take any pictures because all of the losers had already moved away, besides Mike, and he was homeschooled.

Richie shook out his legs, trying to get rid of the cramps, and stared up at the apartment building in front of him.

Eddie had given him this address awhile ago, but he had no idea that Richie was planning on stopping by.

Richie stepped into the gated area and found Eddie's number.

"Hey, I, uh, have your pizza," Richie only lied so that he could see Eddie. He knew that Sonia would never let Richie into the apartment.

He just hoped that they had ordered pizza.

"Um...we didn't order pizza,"

Richie almost swore, he was hearing Eddie's voice. He was so close to Eddie. So close to seeing him again.

But he had to lie again, Richie racked his brain.

"Oh um, it's this free pizza giveaway thing," Richie smacked forehead, "I don't know, my boss just wants me to hand these out to people. I mean, you can't say no to a free pizza right?"

Richie hoped and prayed that Eddie still liked pizza.

"Cool," Eddie said simply and buzzed him in.

Richie could not stop smiling, he rain to the stairwell and raced up three flights of stairs. He didn't want to waste any time.

He was practically pounding on Eddie's door sporting a grin so wide that the tips of his mouth almost touched his ears.

The door swung open.

Eddie was standing in simple jeans and a t-shirt, he had gotten taller again but not by much. His face was still as innocent.

It took him a moment to recognize the huge frames, messy hair, and patterned shirt boy towering over him.

But when he did he actually let out a squeal and jumped to hug Richie.

"Richie!" He exclaimed and finally pulled himself out of Richie's arms, "I can't believe you're here!" He ushered Richie into his apartment.

Richie didn't even look around, he only had eyes for Eddie.

"So where's the momma bear?"

"Out on some errands," Eddie shrugged beaming at Richie.

He couldn't believe how long it had been since he had seen that face.

They stood staring in silence for a bit, both wanting the same thing but too afraid to say it.

"Can I," Eddie broke the silence first, "Can I kiss you?" he asked while blushing like crazy.

Richie smirked and wrapped his arms around Eddie's waist. "Yes please," he whispered lowly.

Eddie leaned forward and kiss Richie innocently, sweetly. He lifted his hands to Richie's neck. It wasn't rough or sloppy or heated, it was tender. The boys just wanted to have this moment, this soft and wholesome moment, for themselves.

"Hey Eddie your soap is almost out in the- what the fuck?!"

The boys broke apart. A girl was standing, jaw slacked, staring at them with wide eyes.

Richie frowned, "who's this?"

Eddie swore.

The girl cleared her throat and blinked, as if trying to establish reality. "So this, uh, so you're uh," she couldn't find the right words, "So I'm like, uh, your beard?" she finally asked.

Eddie swore again.

"Your beard?" Richie questioned, "You're dating her?" he raised a brow, "a female?"

"It was just a study date," the girl muttered.

"Amanda, I am so sorry," Eddie looked completely flustered, "I did not mean to...to...."

"To what?" Amanda cut in, "to invite me over? To lead me on? Hell, even to kiss me?" she was getting worked up. "Well Eddie? What didn't you mean to do?"

Eddie shrugged, "I don't...I don't know."

Amanda scoffed, "I'm gonna go."

Both of the boys just watched her leave, not saying anything.

Once the door slammed shut Richie turned to Eddie and said, "wow, I can't believe your gay ass scored a girl."

Eddie rolled his eyes and jabbed the boy with his elbow.

Richie just laughed and walked over to the couch in Eddie's small living room. He plopped down on his back with a sigh.

"Why did you ask her out anyway?" Richie was staring up at the ceiling.

Eddie sighed and sat down at the end of the couch, "I don't really know...It's almost like I forgot-"

He stopped talked and Richie lifted his head to look at Eddie. The boy was staring down at his hands that were clenched into fists, he looked like he was ready to cry.

So Richie sat all the way up and wrapped his arms around Eddie and buried his head into Eddie's shoulder, breathing in his scent.

Eddie continued, but his voice was shakier, "like I forgot all about you, and Derry," he took a second to swallow the painful lump in his throat, "like my mom had finally brainwashed me into forgetting it all or something."

Richie lifted his head and looked up into Eddie's eyes, "Well it's a good thing I'm here now then." and he kept holding onto Eddie, but leaned forward and placed a light kiss on the brow of his head.

Eddie smiled. He placed his hands on either side of Richie's face, cupping it, and then kissed him lightly on the lips.

This time Richie wanted more. He pressed his lips harder to Eddie's and Eddie met the passion.

And they were happier than they had ever been in the last years.

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Fluffly chapter that could've turned smutty but I decided not to write that because that's awkward.

And I'm not mature.

Can't believe I'm posting twice in one day again and I don't hate the content and it's pretty frickin long.

I wrote over two thousand words today kids...

It's healthy