𝙻𝚎𝚊𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚑𝚘𝚖𝚎. - Reddie AU

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What was so important that Richie was late? Well, there was a certain girl named Juniper Tozier. He slowly opened the pink door with a unicorn sticker on it, poking his head in to check that the young girl was still sleeping.

He made his way as the rainbow lights danced around the room following his moves, he slowly rested himself sitting on the mattress next to the sleeping body. He let out a sigh whispering. "Hey..."

No response.

"Listen, snot...uh, I've got to go..." He raised his voice a little turning his head away from the sleeping girl watching his feet. "Uh, I'll try and visit you one day, I hope you turn out fine here alone..." "Why would I be alone?" The six-year-old girl question sitting up. "I have daddy and mummy, and my very best friend!" She beamed.

Richie turned his head to the girl confused. "Who's your best friend?" She answered quickly throwing her arms around the boy. "My favourite brother!" Richie sighed wrapping his arms around the girl. "Rat...You're a rat, you know?" He forced out a laugh as the girl grinned. "You're a rat!"

He sighed letting go. "I gotta leave." She shook her head quickly whining. "It's dark! You'll get kidnapped." He went silent trying to pry out of the small girl's arms. "I'm just...going to see Eddie."

She cocked her head, not letting go. "Your boyfriend? I wanna come! I wanna come!" Richie shook his head scruffing her curly black hair. "No, he's not my boyfriend, and you can't come. But...I gotta go."

Tears started filling in the girl's eyes as she shook her head. "No! Don't leave." Richie sighed sitting back on the bed. "Fine...I'll uh, don't cry! Come on...I'll stay here ok?" She nodded as the boy slowly patted her hair.

Now...back to the two boys.

Eddie groaned stretching out, god that was an odd dream. Richie wouldn't run away. "Morning Eds." Eddie jumped, eyes wide turning the to the boy who was currently watching the map. "Alright, so...this is going to be a long drive, I truly hope you know that...so, if you want to head back. Say it now."

Eddie shook his head. "I'm making sure you're fine." Richie sighed. "And then what? You leave once you know I'm fine and I have to drive you back?" Eddie shook his head mumbling. "I'm not leaving you Rich...You're always going to have to deal with me."

Richie smiled lightly returning his gaze to the road. "Alright...that's a tiny bit gay though." Eddie sighed, pulling his feet up to cross his legs on the chair. "You're having to leave because you were caught making out with a guy?.. Who's the gay one now."

Richie rolled his eyes. "Can you shut up? Hold the map." Eddie nodded holding it up to read, his eyes following with the different coloured lines. "Is someone upset?" Richie shook his head, chewing his inner cheek. "Nope, just trying to follow along the route."

Eddie nodded. "So, I'm guessing the purple lines are the way there?" Richie removed one hand from the driving wheel pressing his finger on a line. "Yep, we should be somewhere near here." Eddie hummed. "Got it, got it...so, you don't need to turn for like...a good couple hours."

Richie questioned moving his hand up poking the boys' noise. "You hungry?" Eddie let out a small laugh swatting at the boys bigger hand. "A little...why?" Richie hummed flicking his blinker on. "Well, there's a gas station up this road...and a park so."

The two boys quickly arrived at the white block building with bright LED white lights. Eddie flicked up his watch looking at the time. "Shit...it's fucking eleven?! How did I sleep that long?!" Richie shrugged as the sliding doors pushed aside and a gush of air hit them. "Beats me, you looked peaceful though."

Eddie shoved him a little laughing walking down the aisle. "That's so!" Richie rolled his eyes as they reached the hot box. "Pie or?.." Eddie nodded quickly sliding the small door open. "Mhmm! I have like... sixty dollars!" Richie nodded grabbing a sausage roll out. "Mhmm...I'm richer than you!"

Eddie beamed nudging the boy with his shoulder. "I'm fucking rich, you ass!" Richie cocked his head trying to force himself not to smile. "Huh...why didn't you tell me?" Eddie quickly felt his cheeks heat up, not breaking his gaze from the boy standing across from him. "I...I didn't mean it like that!"

Richie gave a small wink looking away shortly after. "Sure, I have some great reviews by the way." Eddie scoffed looking away quickly. "I hate you, take me home." Richie nodded quickly. "Uh, shit yea.-"

Eddie cut him off, shoving him a little. "I was kidding you ass! Come on! Drinks, I want some water...I'm guessing.-" "Coke!" Richie exclaimed grabbing a two letter bottle of coke grinning. "Let's go!"

They placed their items down waiting for the cashier, an older white man came out from the back cocking his head. "You two look an awful lot like those missing boys from Derry..." Richie cleared his throat humming. "Who?"

Eddie questioned kicking the other boy's foot lightly. "Che cosa?" (What?) The two boys learned a second language at about fourteen so they could trick people and talk to each other without other people knowing what they're talking about.

The man eyed them off scanning the first item. "Richard Tozier and Edward Kaspbrak, it's rumoured they were...lovers, can you believe what this country has come to? Accepting those little faggots."

Eddies heart dropped in his chest, he mumbled. "Cosa sono i ...faggots?" (What are...faggots?) Richie hummed lightly hitting the boys arm. "Sorry...we're not from here, Quanto?" The man hit a couple of buttons on the keyboard, loud clicks as it rang up. "Twelve dollars and thirty cents."

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A/N: Guess they're fucked.