Things "Best Friends" Do

{12} Trying and Failing

"So, Will, how are things?" Richie asks. Will is sitting at the Quarry, Richie left his house soon after getting yelled at by his father, after his and Eddie's 'fight.' He came to the Quarry to see Will crying, Richie had walked up behind him silently and made him jump when he asked his question.
Will quickly wipes his tears and sits up straight, smiling, "Oh. Hey Richie."
"Did you stub your toe?"
"What?"
"Nevermind. What's wrong?"
Will sighs, "You know it's not nice to sneak up on someone when they're crying and having a moment."
"Oh a moment? That's what that was? My bad." Richie chuckles and sits down.
Will sniffles and looks away, wiping his nose, "Look Richie you don't have to... pretend to like me."
Richie looks over at the other boy, "You're right, I hate you."
Will looks over in shock to see Richie rolling his eyes, he softly elbows the black haired teen, "Just a joke Byers." Will nods, looking at the soon to be setting sun.
"Pretty ain't it?" Richie sighs, "You like this place?"
"Yeah. It's quiet... You?"
"Well I'm here aren't I?"
Will shrugs causing Richie to scoff.
"What?" Will asks.
"Nothing it's just... you act how you... look."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Will looks offended, possibly because he wants to be accepted into the Losers club and he doesn't want to do anything wrong.
"Nothing String Bean."
"Oh so we're doing nicknames now?"
Richie laughs, "I give nicknames to everyone Byers."
Will huffs, brushing his longer-than-bowl-cut-but-not-quite-normal-hair out of his eyes. "At least my nickname isn't too bad..."
"I could make it worse if you'd like." Richie jokes.
"Oh whatever! Well now I need a nickname for you."
"Nope. Too bad, Richie gives out nicknames but does not receive." Richie smirks.
The teens joke and talk with each other for a while, as the sun is setting Will looks over at Richie whose been quiet for a few minutes. His eyes are closed and Will realizes how beautiful he is. His face glows during golden hour, his hair looks sleek and soft, even though in reality it's tangled and probably stiff with sweat and dirt. But Will doesn't care, he thinks Richie is beautiful, pale skin and freckles alike.
"Hey Richie?"
"Yeah Will?"
"I..." Might have a bit of a crush on you... Will sighs, "Nevermind."

Eddie tramples through the woods back from his short hang out with Bev, Stan and Mike. He left early because he knew he needed to make things right with Richie. The path he's taking will lead him through to the quarry, and he has a feeling Richie might be there: he often leaves the house after fights like they've had.  He makes his strides longer and faster, as he comes to the path that goes up to the gate of the quarry, Eddie can hear laughing. He furrows his brows, it sounds like Richie's laugh.... and someone else.. not Bill and not Ben either... those are the only two it could possibly be. Eddie suddenly remembers the two new kids, and Will, the somewhat queer-looking one. It's possible Will is like Eddie and Richie, very possible, Eddie isn't going to lie- his gaydar is the best out of all of his friends- that is except when he thought Richie wasn't gay.... But that's beside the point. He goes more towards the gate, trying to keep quiet, as the two teens come into view they're laughing and Richie is being all.... touchy with the new kid. And Will is being touchy right back. Eddie bites his lip. No way. No fucking way. There is literally no way Richie moves on that quickly, Eddie convinces himself they're just being friendly. But no... friends dont touch other friends shoulders and arms like that. Eddie narrows his eyes and storms out into the open.

Richie grins at Will, suddenly hearing a crash come from behind he quickly looks at the source of the sound. "Uh- Eddie?"
Eddie's face is a bit red, "...Richie. Can we talk."
Will looks extremely uncomfortable and he stands briskly, "Uh... cya around Richie... and you too Eddie." He forces a smile and walks past Eddie with his head down.
Eddie waits a few seconds before turning to Richie, "....what the hell was that all about." His voice is cold and low, he keeps his head down and his hands are clenched.
"What?"
"Why were you... doing that stuff with Will..." Eddie lifts his head to see Richie with his teeth clenched and his face a bit red.
"Why was I being friendly??"
Eddie winces, regretting how he handled and assessed the situation, but at this point it's too late to back down. "No. Why were you... flirting?"
"Tch. Flirting? Really Eds?" Richie slowly stands, his hands stuffed in his pockets.
"Yes really." Eddie says curtly, "I can tell."
Richie takes a couple steps forward, "You're doing a shitty job of 'telling.'"
Eddie finally looks up, fire inflaming his brown eyes, his jaw is clenched and his knuckles are taunt, "You know... I came here to apologize but seeing as how you're acting, I take it back!" He raises his voice.
"Oh you take it back? Awe man Eddie I'm just so sorry that I was actually being nice for once! And all of a sudden you're," He jabs a finger at his chest, "jealous! How fucking ironic."
Eddie glares and looks away, "Don't poke me."
The mischievous teen smirks and pokes him again, "Whoops. My finger slipped." He deadpans and crosses his arms, looking smug.
"Oh that is super mature!" Eddie gasps and offers up a very fake and extravagant smile, "Good job Richie! You still act like a fucking two year old."
Richie groans, "Well at least I don't get treated like one!"
"Are you seriously bringing up my mom again?!" Eddie exclaims, clearly exasperated as he stretches both arms out, "That's rich coming from you- why don't we talk about your parents."
Richie is shocked into silence for a moment before he bites down on his lip, "Yeah. No thank you."
"Look, Richie, I'm  just... gonna go." Eddie turns on his heel, exasperated and starts stalking back through the woods when Richie grabs his arm. The ravenette feels a surge of sadness, after all he's glad to see Eddie. Is he happy with the way he's acting? No. But he came to apologize so Richie might as well give him a chance to.
"Wait- Eddie.." He sighs and drops Eddie's wrist as they make eye contact. Richie's dark, bug eyed ones entrapped by Eddie's brown, doe eyed ones. "We've been fighting? A lot.. and I don't like it. Ever since we both confessed to each other, it's just been constant fighting and I don't know.. really I don't know why.."
Eddie sighs and downcasts his eyes, "Richie, I want to be with you, I do. But you just called me a faggot in front of your dad.."
Richie bites his lip and takes a deep breath, "I meant to apologize, I didn't mean it that way, truly. But, my dad would kill me. He'd kill you. And I don't want that happening... Obviously." He sighs and hooks his finger under Eddie's chin to make him look at him. "For what it's worth I really am sorry..."
"And I'm sorry for freaking out about it, it's just..." Eddie holds onto the others wrist, letting his chin rest on Richie's finger for a moment, "What's going on with Will?" He whispers, looking a bit pained.
Richie was dreading this question, nothing really was going on. But he has a growing suspicion that the new boy is gay, after all his stares and blushes aren't exactly subtle.
"Nothing is going on with Will, Eddie." Richie offers up a tentative smile, "I wasn't flirting, but I do think he might be gay."
The asthmatic pulls Richie's hand down off his chin and kisses it, "I believe you... and uhm yeah I agree that boy is gay." He grins a little and let's his hands drop, holding Richie's tightly. "I'm sorry about what I said.."
"I know."
"I'm still really sorry.."
"Eddie, I know." Richie plants a kiss on Eddie's forehead as they begin their walk home. "It's okay."

a/n
wow it's been a while huh :3
sorry this is a bit short but i figured i would crank something out at least...