when you smile.

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Lily shoulders past Eddie so roughly that he falls to his butt.

"I'm tired of you avoiding me, Richie!" she complains.

"I avoid you because you're a psychotic bitch!" he counters.

The yelling draws the attention of Beverly and Ben, who rush out from the kitchen. Eddie catches the enraged look on Beverly's face the moment she notices Lily.

"Was she invited in?"

"Hell no!" Richie says, hastily making his way over to Eddie and helping him up.

"Perfect," Beverly mutters.

Eddie stares wide-eyed as Beverly marches up to Lily, rears back, and straight up decks her in the face.

Lily's on her ass in a second, and Beverly's towering over her.

"Barge into my apartment one more time and you'll regret it," she warns. "Now pick your ass up and walk the fuck out."

Lily scrambles to her feet and sends Richie one last pleading look, as if it'll encourage him to help her out of the situation.

"Richie—" Lily begins.

"Do you have a death wish, bitch?" Eddie snaps.

Lily opens her mouth to respond but Beverly cuts her off.

"Say a fucking word to her and I'll give you a split lip to match the black eye," she threatens.

Lily huffs and spits in Beverly's direction before stomping out of the apartment. She's lucky she missed because Eddie's pretty sure Ben wouldn't have been able to hold Beverly back if she didn't.

-



Richie's pacing the bedroom, wall to wall. In any other situation, Eddie might find it rather comical how Richie covers the entire length of their bedroom in only a few strides, but right now Richie is on the verge of a meltdown.

"God, how the fuck did she find our address?" he raves.

"Baby, I don't know. We can change the locks if that helps?" he suggests.

Richie nods in agreement. "I just can't stand her—she won't fucking leave me alone."

Eddie hops off the bed and stops Richie in his tracks. "Hey, hey, we'll take precautions, get a security system or a dog. I promise none of us are going to let her harass you," he says.

Richie's face softens marginally and he slumps against Eddie.

"I love you," he whispers.

Eddie presses a kiss to his temple. "I love you too."



-



The decision to drop out of college and finish his degree online wasn't really all that hard a decision for Richie to make.

It gave him more free time to write songs, perform at shows, do photoshoots, and attend interviews. The only problem is not being on campus anymore gets lonely.

"I miss you," he coos when Eddie trudges through their bedroom door.

His boyfriend smiles. "I missed you too, baby."

"I want you to come to London with me," Richie says suddenly.

Eddie gives him a wide-eyed look. "Wait, what?"

"I just found out I'm going on tour to London for a winter break," Richie explains, "and I want you to come."

Eddie still looks a little dumbfounded and Richie can't blame him. He tends to spring things on people a bit abruptly.

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