why you? - reddie (completed)

19. recovery

the songs mentioned later on are 'Peer Pressure' by James Bay feat Julia Micheals and 'Like Strangers Do' by AJ Mitchell.

TW: Body issues
(A/N): This chapter has a few time jumps, but next chapter will be the last one.

——

The road to recovery had been long. Eddie had been told that he'd never be able to return to the profession he loved so much as the injuries to his spine would be long lasting. He was absolutely devastated, but when he told his manager and the coach of of team, they let him become assistant coach. It turned out both him and Richie lived in New York and they moved in together almost instantly.

Richie wrote a song inspired by his and Eddie's night together named 'Peer Pressure' which he recorded with Julia Michaels. It was an instant hit and spent a week on the top of the charts. Since he cancelled his tour while Eddie was in the hospital, he was going on a make up tour where all the original tickets were accepted as well as the new ones.

Neither of them told the media the full story of what happened to Eddie and none of the other losers did either and Eddie was grateful for it.

"How about we get a dog," Richie said while lounging on the bed he shared with Eddie, "I mean, it's been a while and I really want one of the little fuckers."
"Maybe when you get back from tour. We can't get a dog and then you just leave."

Eddie was getting some pyjamas out of the drawers in the far corner.

"Could you please look away," Eddie blushed as he reached for the hem of his shirt.

Without even saying anything Richie rolled over and faced the other way. Richie hadn't seen Eddie shirtless since his stay in the hospital. He wondered if he was self conscious about the scar from It because he was definitely okay with his body a few months ago.

"Okay, you can look now."

Richie rolled back over and Eddie walked over to the bed. Richie sat up and Eddie sat next to him.

"You know I would never judge you, Eds. Especially for the way you look."
"I know...it's just the scar it's still not fully healed and even I hate looking at it."

Richie softly grabbed Eddie's hand and kissed the scar on the back of his hand.

"I'm not going to pressure you into showing me, just know that I love all of you. Scars and all."

Eddie rested his head on Richie's shoulder.

"Thank you, Rich. It means a lot."

——

"When do you leave for tour?" Eddie asked.
"Wednesday, next week. You could come with me, ya know."
"I could. Training doesn't start for another two months."
"Cmon," Richie hopped off the bed and walked over to him, "I could introduce you publicly as my boyfriend."

Richie put his hands on Eddie's shoulders and kissed the tip of Eddie's nose. The boy smiled up at him and placed his hands on his chest,

"Okay."
"Fuck yeah! One whole month travelling with the cutest person in existence!"
"Calm down there, Romeo."
"Oh! Before I forget, I found a song that I wrote when you left when we were younger, be right back!"

Before Eddie could even say anything, Richie had ran out the room. A few minutes later he came back up with his guitar.

"Okay, sit."

Eddie sat down and leant back against the headboard of their bed. Richie sat on the edge and held the guitar in his lap. He played a few chords and then began singing.