romeo & juliet | reddie

.. painkiller ..

Silently, Eddie comforted his companion. He began gently stroking his hair as Richie rest his head on the younger boy's shoulder. This summer would mark two years since everything happened. Since the losers fought It, since the blood pact that bound them together. They had all gone through so much, far too much.

Eddie had learned how to be a calming presence, when he needed to be. Eventually, he had grown used to being gentle with his friends.

"Shh... Rich, take a breath." He said, facing his friend. Delicately, he removed Richie's glasses and placed them aside. The pale boy squirmed at the sudden touch. "Hold on. Just close your eyes and... close your eyes and breathe okay?".
"Dude, what? I don't really feel like-", He was silenced by a glare from Eddie. "Shut the fuck up and listen to me." He said, asserting dominance over his friend. The two took a breath together, immediately calming Richie's unsteady breathing.

Eddie opened his eyes first, watching his friend's eyes flutter open slowly. Something about watching the boy's long eyelashes resting against his completely relaxted face sparked something in Eddie. He suddenly noticed the light freckles that covered the bridge of Richies nose. And the single loose curl, the goddamn curl, above his left eye falling gently onto his glasses. Eddie felt his face get slightly warmer, as he saw his best friend staring back at him, he fumbled away.

"So! Now that we've calmed down... wanna get shitfaced, Tozier?" Eddie recovered from the sudden shock, a light smile spread across his face as he held out the silver flask. Richie took it from his friend's hand, "Thought you'd never ask, Kasprack." He said, returning the grin.

The two took turns, competing to see who could take the biggest gulp of whiskey without making a face. So far, Eddie was losing. Horribly. Soon after, they were completely shitfaced. They sat on the sofa, passing a cigarette back and forth, Eddie took a drag and continued conversation.

"Okay, uh... Never have i ever smoked pot." Eddie grinned, obviously going for the easier stuff. Richie put down a finger, "Fuck. Fine, uh... Never have i ever... Fucking, I don't know kissed a girl?" Richie said, feeling his face heat up. Almost 16 and you haven't even gotten to first base, nice going Toizer. Well, not that you're in any hurry. Richie thought.

"Huh. Well, i guess i should've known. All bark and no bite, huh Rich?" Eddie chuckled, meeting Richie's eyes. "Fucks that supposed to mean?" He asked in a sharper tone, already regretting the question, and starting to regret the whole night.

"Oh, nothing. You just seem to talk up your experience but i've yet to see you ever actually have a girlfriend." Eddie challenged, keeping his eyes on Richie. "Oh. Well i don't really have much time for silly little girlfriends when your mother and i are in such a committed relationship. Oh, and your one to talk Eds, with your mystery girl. Who even was she? And please don't tell me it was your mommy." Richie looked away, bringing his attention back to the bottle of vodka he'd been keeping in his bag.

Eddie's face impossibly flushed another shade deeper, "Shut up Richie! It was Debbie from Bio. So you can shut the fuck up about it now, Trashmouth." Eddie snapped. "Really?" Richie looked up again, "Fucking... Debbie the Dweeb? Dude.", Rich looked shocked and... hurt.

"Richie? You good man? Shit, i'm sorry. I didn't mean to go that far." Eddie said, placing a hand on Richie's thigh. Ge flinched at the touch before pulling away completely, "What the fuck?" He seethed. "What the fuck are you doing?".

Eddie stood up as well, "What the fuck are you talking about? Dude, you've been acting weird all night. What's your problem?" He jeered. "The fuck do you mean, 'Whats my problem?' What the fuck is your problem? You've been all over me tonight. What are you trying to do?", Richie practically hissed back at the smaller boy.

Eddie stared back in disbelief. Richie had never snapped at him before, even when he was most pissed off. "Don't just stand there, answer me! Is this some kind of sick joke?" The boy said.

Eddie continued the silence, maybe he had been touchy with him? He remembered the small moments he had stared too long, or the light touches he had laid apon his friend. Shit. Maybe he was being weird. But he wasn't gay, right? Shit. Was he gay? It was probably just the alcohol making him ditzy, clouding his judgement. He took another swig before meeting Richie's eyes.

The raven haired boy's eyebrows were furrowed, a grimace covering his face. His hair was slightly tousled and he was trembling, either from the chill that spread throughout the clubhouse or possibly even... fear?

"I don't..." Eddie began, suddenly feeling exactly how insecure he felt, "Im not...  Im not trying anything. And i'm sorry if i gave you the wrong idea." He said flatly. Richie suddenly looked down, fumbling with his glasses.

"Shit," He whispered, "Sorry dude, i've been acting like such a dick. Fuck. I didn't mean anything i just said, and i probably wont remember this shit in the morning. I'm sorry Eds." The boy said, barely making eye contact as he rubbed his eyes and sighed.

"Its okay. Just... try not to freak out so much next time i put my hand on your thigh." Eddie said as Richie's attention jerked straight back up to the other boy, his lips slightly parted in disbelief. Eddie chuckled, "I'm only kidding, Chee. Relax." Another silence fell between the two as Eddie began to have regrets. Shit! Why the fuck did i just say that? Bitch are you dumb? God, im such an idiot! He's gonna think im coming on to him. Again!

Richie took a step closer to the other boy, suddenly placing a cold clammy hand on his neck, with his thumb gently grazing his jawline.