Kisses | Reddie

fiftysix ☆ build

by: doyuroki on ao3

Summary: Eddie works at 'Build a Bear', Stan also works there. Richie is a sensitive boi, and Georgie doesn't like gender roles and loves Carebears and My Little Pony.

~~~~~

"Hi. Welcome to Build-A-Bear, where best friends are made," Eddie droned on his welcome speech monotonously, which he'd memorized the minute his manager had given him a copy of the employee script.

The little girl who'd just walked in the store smiled brightly at him, her blonde pigtails bouncing as she ran up to the array of bears and stuffed toys they had on display. Eddie's fake customer smile softened into something more genuine as she poked and prodded a different toys, surely looking for one that was perfect.

He turned back to the screen before him as he finished his work at the register. Stan had made him switch with him, which meant Eddie had to work the stuffing station.

In theory, there was nothing wrong with the stuffing station. The kids were always most excited to do the ceremony there and at least he got to sit down, but that fucking machine was a death trap.

He poured more stuffing through the trapdoor  of the machine and sighed.

If Sonia Kaspbrak could see him now (she wold most definitely storm inside and demand he quit).

...

"I'm gonna fucking kill you, Bill."

Bill laughed, letting go of Georgie's hand and ruffling his hair when the younger boy pouted.
"H-Here, Georgie. Hold Richie's h-hand."

Richie tried to keep the frown on his face as Georgie's small hand slipped into his.

"I won't be long, p-promise. Y-Y-You can make one with Georgie, t-too. It'll be f-fun. Right, Georgie?"

Georgie looked up at Richie and nodded excitedly, and Richie just gave up trying to look mad. He pinched Georgie's cheek with his free hand. "Alright. Let's get this fucking over with."

"L-Language," Bill muttered as he walked ahead of them.

Richie tore his gaze from Bill's back and looked up to the large, obnoxious, blinking sign above him.

Build-A-Bear Workshop.

Richie resisted the urge to pull out a cigarette and took a step forward, Georgie running alongside him excitedly.

"Hi, welcome to Build-A-Bear Workshop! Where best friends are made," an overly enthusiastic voice chirped as soon as they stepped in.

Richie debated turning around then and there, but Georgie immediately gasped at the displays and pulled Richie towards them. He dug his hands in the bins, pulling out various teddy bears and toys (all unstuffed, which Richie thought was kinda fucking creepy) and giggling.

Georgie had untangled their hands to dig more intensely, which left Richie with nothing to do with his hands (or himself, really).

Richie stuck his hands in his pockets and looked to the register, where Bill was talking to a boy with curly hair. The boy was laughing, cheeks rosy and tucking a stray curl behind his ear. Richie watched Bill's eyes follow the movement and grinned, remembering to tease him about it later.

Georgie was pulling him out of his blackmailing daydream with a few rapid punches to his arm. Richie turned to him curiously, where Georgie was holding up two different stuffed toys.

He had a yellow Carebear in his left hand, and a pink My Little Pony in the other. Richie debated making a run for it then and there.

"Which one?" Georgie asked seriously.