Young and Yearning (IT Imagines and Oneshots).

Reddie; Away.

Richie planned to escape. In a single moment, he chose to flee Derry. He chose to flee the homophobia and abuse that the town somehow forced the teenagers to endure. And somehow, Eddie got swept up into Richie's whirlwind of a plan. The two had packed their bags in such a hurry you'd think they were fleeing an apocalypse - and in a way, they were. The Losers Club had split months beforehand, each dividing into their own groups. Bill and Stan were attached at the hip, as were Ben and Bev - whereas Mike had taken over the responsibility, and pain, of his farm. This left, of course - Richie Tozier and Eddie Kaspbrak. It had taken months on end, but Richie had finally saved for his own car. It sure was a piece of shit, but it was his most prized possession. With it's beige, chipping paint and collection of tapes sitting in the back seats - he adored the vehicle, and trusted merely Eddie inside of it.

The two climbed into the car, after throwing their rucksacks into the boot of the car. Richie had his hands readied on the steering wheel, and chuckled as Eddie buckled himself in.

"What?" Eddie giggled in retaliation, "Road safety, Rich."

Richie simply laughed, shaking his head but chuckling regardless. Eddie narrowed an eyebrow at him, which Richie noticed immediately. When Eddie began tutting Richie feigned a deep sigh and buckled his own seatbelt.

"Okay, Spaghetti.." Richie began, as he got a flick on the arm from Eddie, "Where are we heading?"

Eddie struggled as the rolled down the window and lent his arm out of it - before turning back to Richie.

"Anywhere but here," He replied whimsically. Richie nodded in silence and pressed his foot against the accelerator as he began to precariously reverse out of the driveway.

"Here, Eds," Richie finally addressed, breaking the silence, "Pick a tape, any tape."

Eddie cleared his throat as he carefully rummaged through the assorted tapes sitting on the back seat. My, how bipolar Richie's taste was. It ranged from Blondie, to Queen, to Iron Maiden, and to Madonna. Eddie found himself chuckling as he slid in the Blondie tape, and the machine whirred as the sweet tune began to play.

Richie immediately got into it, fingers tapping on the steering  wheel to One way or Another. Eddie began singing the lyrics, and was completely oblivious to Richie's staring until he looked over at the boy himself.

"Ay! Eyes on the road, 'Chee!" He said suddenly. Richie's eyes widened, causing them to look even bigger behind his coke-bottle glasses.

"O-Oh yeah, sorry Eds," He quickly apologised, turning back to the road and turning the tape's volume down. Eddie nodded, and now that the car was in silence - immediately felt awkward. He twiddled his thumbs for a few moments, as the simple shifting of the car was the only thing breaking the silence. Finally, after what seemed like hours - Richie turned the volume back up, and filled the empty silence.

"New tape..?" Eddie pondered. Richie simply shrugged, how helpful. Eddie shrugged too, turning to the back seats. One tape sat aside. He flipped it over and brought it closer to his eye line.

I Want To Know What Love Is;

By Foreigner.

Eddie sighed, his insides warming. What a perfect word. He was aware of his lack of knowledge about the subject, yet unaware of Richie's infatuation toward him.

"How about this one, 'Chee?" Eddie asked softly. Richie hummed in response.

"Mh? What is it?" He asked, not peeling his eyes from the road. Eddie's insides softened at the suddenly careful boy.

"I wanna know what love is," Eddie whispered gently. Richie's ears could have practically perked up right there and then.

"Foreigner? Okay.." He responded, still keeping his eyes upon the road - before looking down at the speedometer, "Shit, we need to stop for gas."