Stay Calm~Reddie

"𝔾𝕚𝕧𝕖 𝕚𝕥 𝕥𝕚𝕞𝕖"♫

Today, Richie was getting ready to meet Bev because he previously asked her to meet at the quarry. He was planning on telling her about Eddie and everything, and then ask for advice about the situation. Just like he wrote down last night.

He shoved on some jeans and just a plain tee and headed downstairs, his mom or dad wasn't home. He had no clue where his father was at the time but he knew his mom was at town buying groceries. So, he just left and rushed to the quarry to meet Bev.

"Well hello Molly," Richie called out as he noticed Bev sitting on the edge of the cliff, a cigarette hanging between her soft lips.

"Trashmouth," she greeted back. Richie headed over to her and took a seat next to her, taking in the smell of the smoke that was escaping her mouth.

"Want one?"

Richie instantly nodded. "Can you read my mind Beaverly?"

She rolled her eyes playfully as he got out a cigarette and passed it to Richie. He placed it in between his chapped lips and allowed Bev to light it herself.

They both sat in a comfortable silence for a moment, as Richie enjoyed admiring the clouds above them. It was calming, but he knew he had to speak to Bev soon.

"So Bevvy, i het you're wondering why i called you out on this wonderful day."

"Yes, i am actually," she snorted. "But i was kind of happy to get out my house."

Richie nodded. "Yeah, i get you."

"So, why did you wanna meet?" Richie sighed out and took a puff of his cigarette, taking one last look at the clouds before turning to face Beverly. He awkwardly brushed his hand through his curls and tried to keep eye contact with her, but he felt too nervous.

"You can't even look me in the eyes," Bev laughed. "I guess you are having a problem."

"Yeah, i am," Richie replied, no smile. "Did you know i'm gay?" Richie's eyes glued shut once he realised what just came out of his mouth. He wanted to get the advice quick, and he wasn't sure how long he wanted to wait. It was paining him.

"Uh- no? Richie, i-"

"Don't say anything," he cut in. "Just say yes."

"Well i was gonna say that i didn't know, and that i support you," Bev smiled. "But if it pleases you, then yes."

Richie just smiled back at her, his eyes moving back to her and back to the clouds. "Wait, can i ask you a question? You need to answer it honestly."

"Are you okay Rich? I have never seen you like this-"

"Just answer this Bev," Richie quietly spoke, his mouth opening and closing while he decided how to ask the question in his mind. "Say, if you and Ben were only friends. But you really liked him, and you kissed him, and he kissed back. What would you do?"

Bev was silent for a moment, her cigarette now being held between her two fingers. She brushed a strand of her hair out the way of her eyes, her fiery locks swayed as she done so. She smiled and took a puff of her cigarette.

"I would talk to him about it, ask him why he kissed back. Explain to him why i kissed him, if he wanted to know," she replied, her eyes stuck onto the flat water as she spoke softly. "But if he kissed back, that would be a good sign."

Richie thought for a moment, thinking about what Bev has just spoken. He took one last puff of his cigarette before throwing it onto the wet grass, putting it out with his warn-out trainers. Bev did so as well.

"But what if Ben acted really wierd after the kiss?"

"Wierd like how?"

"Like," Richie began, one of his hands gesturing in the air while the other one was picking at the grass. "He seemed kind of annoyed, and didn't wanna face you after? Like he seemed worried in a way, i'm not sure."

Bev has never seen Richie act like this, it worried her. So she moved her body towards Richie's and gently placed her arm around his waist. Her other hand was used to ruffle through his messy curls, she could hear feel his body relax from the touch.

"I would just think that he needs time to process the kiss, and give him space for the next week or so," she whispered, Richie was able to hear because of how close their heads were. She breathed out and rested her head on his shoulder. "Could you tell me who this happened to you with? Maybe i can know why they acted like that, depending on who they are."

"Uh- no."

"Why?"

"You'll make fun of me, Bevvy," he laughed weakly. "Why else?"

Bev then moved from the hug and looked Richie in the eyes, she smiled sympathetically at him and rubbed her thumb on his shoulder. Richie always thought she was good with calming someone, not this good though.

"Please Rich? I could help."

Richie took a deep breathe and turned his body over to stare down at the water, making sure to hide his face. "Eddie."

"Eddie?" Bev's eyes widened. "Really?"

"Yes," Richie huffed. "Now can you tell me? I really want to know."

She thought for a moment. "I remember a time when you joked about him liking boys, not girls," she lightly chuckled. "He got really defensive Rich, you remember that?"

"Yes? What about it?"

"I think, he needs to come to terms with his sexuality. If he kissed you back, and does like your dumbass, he definitely needs to figure that out himself."

"Figure out that he likes me?"

"Yes that, but also figure out himself that he isn't straight. He might be confused and that's why he acted weird after you both kissed, confused and worried."

Richie thumbled with his jacket for a moment as he revisioned how Eddie acted after they kissed. What Bev was saying made sense, it made complete sense. But it was Richie, Richie Tozier. Of course he was going to doubt himself.

"I'm not sure Bev, i don't know if i can even face him after that," Richie admitted as he turned back to face her.

"Give it time Rich, for both of you."

"Okay," he mumbled. "Could i have another cig? They really help with stress."

Bev didn't reply, she just pulled out two cigarettes and gave one to Richie. She once again lit his cigarette while it was balancing between his lips, they both let out a laugh as she missed the first time.

Both of them were laying on their backs, their bodies were laying on the wet grass. But they didn't care.

"Oh and Bevvy?"

"Mhm," she hummed in response.

"Don't tell anyone about this, not even Eddie. Just our little secret."

She laughed lightly through her nose. "Of course."