5555 reddie (Completed)

Part 20

He doesn't kiss him. They speak with their eyes. With unspoken words dancing in the air between them, parting lips desperate for confessions, hungry with desire, and Eddie boosts the heat up again. Probably to aid the goose bumps that are most likely budding along his tan skin.

Richie hopes things never change.

The stars illuminate the light smile playing at Eddie's lazing lips, parted clumsily, rich and plump, taunting Richie in ways he will never know. It must be two, or three in the morning. Richie lost count hours ago, for they have been sitting on the roof of the truck since the sun was still out and shining. As he smokes, Richie recalls the day they have had, spent driving and stealing and eating, messing around and wishing they could stay young forever.

Glancing over at Eddie, Richie takes a long drag before saying, "Can I ask you something? And have you promise not to get mad?"

"I'm already worried," Eddie jokes, but upon noticing the somewhat serious look Richie wears he nods, understanding. "Yeah. Okay. Sure."

"Where did you get all those scars?" Richie asks, because he wants to know. He wants an answer from Eddie, because getting glimpses of the rigid damage done to Eddie's body is confusing, and painful, and Richie feels as though he should be trusted enough to deserve an honest answer. But Eddie doesn't budge at all, doesn't have a twitch in his fingers or a furrow in his brows. The only thing he offers is a blank look. "Don't look at me like that. It's freaking me out. I just wanted to know." Nervously, Richie sucks on his cigarette and squirms on the hood of the car. Being under Eddie's gaze when he looks like that is so weird.

"What scars?" is all Eddie says. And Richie stares. Then scoffs.

"Yeah. Okay," he says, because is Eddie serious? Getting upset at the mention of the scars is one thing, but lying about them completely? Now Eddie is just being an asshole. Making Richie feel like he's crazy. "Sure, Eds."

"Are you okay, Richie?" Eddie asks.

The first thought Richie has, I haven't been okay for a long time and I think we both know that.

But he doesn't say that. Instead he says: "You've got scars all over your back and stomach." And he waves his hand around pointlessly as he rambles. "I've seen them. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to but just don't make me feel like I'm making it up."

"I'm not. I don't have any scars," Eddie insists, though his hands clutch at his sweater as if he's afraid Richie will reach out and expose his rough skin.

"Yes you do," Richie states. "Lift up your sweater."

"What?! No way!" Eddie says, eyebrows furrowed so hard he has a mountain of creases dancing along his forehead. His eyes are wide and his lips parted in surprise.

"It's not like I'm checking you out or anything. I'm just trying to prove to you that I'm not crazy!" As he speaks, the cigarette almost tumbles from between his fingers. Eddie eyes it and sighs, running a hand through his hair as he gestures to the smoke tiredly.

"Whatever, Rich. Put out your cigarette. You'll start a fire with those things one day if you're not careful." Richie scoffs, taking one last drag before sliding off the hood of the car. Flicking his cigarette to the ground, he dramatically throws his foot on top of it and aggressively steps the light out. Eddie watches, eyes narrowed, jaw tight.

"Happy now?" Richie asks, annoyed.

"You're being a dick," Eddie says, shaking his head in supposed disbelief of Richie's behavior.

"No, you're being a dick," Richie shoots back. "You're a real fucking dick sometimes, Eddie." Eddie's expression immediately turns sour, and he scoops his legs up in his arms, tugging them to his chest as he stares up at the stars. "I didn't mean that," Richie says, feeling bad. His words were too in the moment, but that doesn't mean there wasn't some truth in them. Perhaps Eddie doesn't think before he speaks sometimes, but neither does Richie. That's what makes them such good friends. They're similar but different. Like all good friends should be.

Eddie watches Richie, his eyes careful. Richie almost doesn't think Eddie will reply, but then his lips part and his jaw loosens. "Yeah you did," he says, and Richie sits down in the dirt as Eddie's eyes return to the sky. There is a tugging at Richie's heart, telling him to beg for forgiveness, to state that he's always making Eddie upset and he knows it. Though he doesn't know why. It feels as though Eddie has gotten more irritable lately. Or maybe Richie has just become more annoying.

"I'm sorry," is what he settles on. Eddie doesn't look at him, just continues to glance around at the stars, ignoring Richie's presence altogether. "For the record, you look really cute when you're mad at me."

Eddie bites back a grin.

You look really cute all the time.

"Shut up," Eddie says. "I'm sorry, too."

They smile at each other, and for a split second, Richie thinks they could make something of this. Of the two of them, together, hardly ever seen by other people. Perhaps they could just be. Free of all judgment. Wouldn't that be nice? To be able to hold each other without fearing what is to come? It's moments like these that give Richie the idea that Eddie would like that as much as he would.

Unable to help himself, Richie says, "You, Eds."

"What?" Eddie asks with a coy smile. "What about me?"

"It's just..." Cocking his head to the side, Richie keeps his eyes trained on Eddie. The darkness is overpowering, but it is okay, for with the car headlights on, Eddie has a certain light to him. Richie grins to himself, contemplating. Then he hops up on the hood of the car, sitting next to Eddie again. "I couldn't imagine doing this with anyone else, ya know? These past few months have been great... I really don't need anyone but you." He doesn't look at Eddie anymore, doesn't want to see the look on his face. Richie is too embarrassed by his honesty.

"I feel the same way," Eddie finally says, exhaling heavily, like he's been keeping the confession in all this time. And maybe he has. "We haven't known each other very long but." There is a pause. "You really are my best friend."

"I don't think you need to know someone for years for them to be your best friend." Richie shrugs his shoulder up to his ear, pursing his lips. "You're my best friend. I don't care how long I've known you." Eddie hums in reply.