[sunshine] // reddie (temporarily discontinued)

five

Eddie Kaspbrack did not want to see Richie Tozier when he woke up. Granted, he didn't want to pass out or be in ths hospital over a cut, but here he was. He blinked and sat up, his body numb. Richie, who had been nervously bouncing his knee and drumming his fingers on the arms of the chair, looked up in relief.

"You're awake!" Richie grinned, hoping Eddie could tell he was forgiven by the smile on his face.

Eddie looked to ths boy and worried pools of night black ink devoured him. "Yes." He was still unsure about how Richie felt towards him.

"That's great. They said you don't need stitches or anything but you passed out from fear and bloodlooss. The only reason your still here is because you were out cold... And they wanted to make sure that you didn't get a concussion and, like, die or something when you fell."

While Eddie was well aware that Richard Tozier was as far from a doctor as they come, he swallowed hard in response to his words.

"Is my mom here?" Eddie whispered.

"No, the doctor said that he knows how she is and because it wasn't serious, he decided it was best to leave her out of it. See, you don't even have a tag."

Eddie looked down at his wrist. Sure enough, no paper bracelet sat there. Richie stood offering him a hand. Eddie looked it over, then around the room. (He would have anywhere to avoid the opia of meeting Richie Tozier's gloaming eyes.)

"We are good to go, Eds." Richie assured him with a lucent smile.

He took his hand, his breath shaking. He's wanted this for a long time. To hold the hands of Richie Tozier.

Richie's simper got wider. He led the smaller boy out by the tips of his honey bronze fingers, scared he would frighten the boy if he attempted to slide his hand any further. Eddie followed, speed walking to keep up.

Until he stopped all together.

"Bill?" Eddie called, relife flodding his veins.

If Bill came to see me, then everything is okay.

But everything was not okay.

Bill turned and met Eddie with a tear streaked face. Eddie fought the urge to cower behind Richie for a moment. If Bill was crying then something was really wrong.

Really, really wrong.

Bill took gentle steps forward until he stood toe to toe with Eddie. He then pulled the smaller boy into a hug. Eddie wrapprd his arms around Bill and sighed in comfort.

"I'm okay, Bill." He whispered.

Bill stepped back. "W-w-why ar-are yo-o-ou here?" He wiped tears from his cheeks as he spoke.

"I got cut by Bowers and fainted at the sight of my blood." Eddie murmured, slightly embarrassed. "Why are you here?"

Bill shook his head.

"Bill, what's wrong?"

Richie stood by helplessly unaware of what to do.

"H-he wa-was pla-" Bill then paused for a long time, unable to get the next word out. "-p-p-p-play-playing in-in-in the-th-th-the r-road, E-e-ed-die."

Eddie brought his hands to his mouth. "Georgie?"

"D-d-d-d-d-" Bill had to stop to take several breaths. Eddie put his free hand on Bill's shoulder.

"You don't have to say it." Eddie whispered and brought his friend back into a hug.

Richie glanced at the pair, completely clueless as to what was going on. Wordlessly, he stepped away. And then out the doors. And then down the street.

Eddie Kaspbrack looked down at his sobbing friend and then aimlessly at the door that Richie had left through, and felt completely alone.