Title//Reddie

Part 15. Saturday August 10th.

Bev and Stan are avoiding each other so they don't have to be all lovey. Eddie didn't tell anyone, but Richies still avoiding him so they don't have to talk about it. Eddies in the clubhouse.
"Of course you're here" Richie said as he climbed down the ladder into the clubhouse. But he had to give props to Eddie, it was really smart. Richie spent most of his time in the clubhouse, it was the perfect hiding spot.
"Well I didn't see you again yesterday, or this morning"
"Because I was avoiding you" Richie honestly said.
"Dick"
"Stalker"
"Fair enough" Eddie chuckled.
"What do you want?" Richie asked, cursing himself for the bite in his words.
"I just feel like we should talk about it" Eddie suggested.
"Talk about what?l
"You coming out to me" Eddie refreshed "And you saying you were scared. I'm no therapist but I can try and help you"
"You're right" Richie started.
"Really? Thanks" Eddie interjected, a little early.
"You're right, you're not a therapist" Richie continued
"Oh"
"Eddie, I don't want to talk about it" Richie told him.
"Why not?" Eddie questioned.
"Because......" Richie didn't know why, he didn't know where the basis of his hiding came from. He always assumed his dad, but he was gone, and nothing changed.
"If you can't give me a valid reason, it's because you don't have one" Eddie said. "Talk to me"
"How do I know you won't hate me?"
"Rich" Eddie thought the very idea of that was preposterous "I would never hate you based on something you can't control, I promise"
Richie hated how easily Eddie could bring down everything he worked on hiding, every fake smile, every wall. Eddie brought it all down.
"Okay" Richie agreed.
Eddie smiled.
"Ok so, why don't you want to come out to the losers? They supported me, and they'd support you"
"Well I came out to my parents....." Rich stopped for a moment, unaware if he wanted to continue or not. He never shared, now hardly seemed a time to.
"Rich?" Eddie snapped him back to focus.
The sound of Eddies voice gave him the strength to continue his sentence.
"...And my dad hated me." Richie continued "He slurred, he insulted. He was a total dickhead. He ruined the 'perfect coming out' story that I had pictured. I'm just worried the losers will be no different."
  "But they were supportive with me! Why would you be any different?"
  "Well it's different Eds" Richie paused, Eddie would argue with what he's about to say. He'd go 'you're important! The losers love you' but Richie would know it wasn't true. Nonetheless, he said he would share with Eddie, so he'll share all of it "You matter to the losers, if you left everyone would notice. I don't contribute. I mean face it, would anyone even notice if I disappeared?"
  "....I would notice"
"Eds" Richie said "would you?"
  "Of course I would!" Eddie exclaimed "You're one of my best friends! You're always there to cheer me up, and I don't know what I would do without you. But that goes without saying!"
  "No" Richie said, his voice trembling "You have to say it. If you don't say it, I can't believe it"
  Eddie walked straight up to Richie and cupped his face.
  "You are enough"