A Different Ending - Reddie

Five

Eddie froze. Their eyes met as Eddie tried to comprehend the situation. Hands shaking, heart thumping in his chest, his eyes felt like watering, but Richie was able to control the urge easily. The two stared at each other for what felt like hours. The air was tense, and Eddie stayed silent, still trying to figure out how to react. The feeling that this was a joke didn’t exist but the feeling that what this man was spouting was the truth was a lot stronger than any other possibilities Eddie had in his head at that moment.

“You’re lying.”

Replied Eddie, quickly but it wasn’t what he wanted to say. Not at all. Eddie kicked himself... mentally. The regret was looming over him until Richie spoke again.

“No Eds and I think you know that more than anybody. Don’t you think so?”

Richie’s gaze was playful, but it was also full of meaning. Kaspbrak stayed silent, not wanting to answer Richie.

Richie guided them back to the bench. As they sat in silence, Eddie looked at Richie. His gaze looking angry and almost hurt. Richie couldn’t remember the last time he saw Eddie give him a look like that and it made his heart jump.

“When did it start?”

“When did what start?”

“Don’t play dumb with me, Richie.”

The two fell silent again. Richie’s hands shaking as he tried to speak but it felt impossible. The words he wanted to say wouldn’t leave his mouth and that made Eddie impatient. The struggle of Richie trying to speak lasted for a few minutes before Eddie slapped his face, trying to snap the other back into reality.

“I asked you a question, Richie. Answer me.”

Richie shook his head. His eyes turning to look at Eddie. A smile on his face but it didn’t seem happy. It looked almost hurt. Like it hurt him to speak.

“Is that important, Eddie? It’s not like he liked me at any point in time. Why is it important for you to know when I started to like you? If I tell you, will you magically start to like me now?”

A pause happened between the two once again. It was uncomfortable. It felt like Richie was being suffocated but his own words and feelings. This situation made it feel like he was dying. No, worse than dying. It felt like he was about to lose everything. Everything he cherished with Eddie was about to go up in smoke in front of him. The urge to walk away before Eddie could even speak was overwhelming but Richie stayed where he was.

Eddie was silent. Eddie wasn’t sure how he felt. It was hard for him to come to grips how he felt at that moment and overall.

“Richie... I don’t know how I feel, okay? I don’t know if this is just friendship, brotherly love or a different kind, okay? I don’t understand this myself I ju-”

“Do you feel the same with me as you did with Greta Bowie all those years ago?”

Eddie shook his head. His body felt heavy, his heart ached at his own answer for some reason. His eyes began to water, and it made Richie jump a little out of surprise.

“I don’t know Richie! This isn’t fair on me! I don’t understand how I’m feeling and... and-”

Tears quickly slipped from Eddie’s eyes, his chest heaving as his breathing became staggered and unbalanced. His hands started to shake but Richie quickly took them in his own, making Eddie look up and sniffle. The larger male brought Eddie into a hug. It wasn’t tight, it was gentle and loving.
 
“Shh... please don’t cry, Eds. I’m sorry if it feels like I’m rushing you or anything. I’m really not I just... I just really like you and I’m scared.”