i'll love you from afar - a reddie story

~ 9 : Eddie ~

"I'm in love with you, Eddie." Richie finally managed to spit out.

Eddie's mind raced with questions and emotions. He felt dizzy.

Richie started rambling. "I'm so fucking in love with you, Eds. In love with your eyes, your freckles, your hair. Every time you say my name my heart stops beating. Every time I look at you, Eddie, I feel like I'm dreaming." Richie started pacing back and forth, sobbing now.

All Eddie could do was watch.

"I love everything about you. From your height to the way you dress or do your hair. Or the fact that you take out your stupid inhaler every time you get nervous or scared."

Eddie wished he had his inhaler now. He felt his breaths quicken and grow shorter.

"All I've ever wanted was to be with you. Why do you think I call you all those names, or tease you all of the time? I'm fucking head over heels for you! Don't you get it?" Richie pleaded.

Eddie couldn't breathe. "Richie, I-"

"Don't. Please. Don't say a word. I-I need to go." With that he left the room, slamming the door behind him. Leaving Eddie alone in Richie's room with tears in his eyes. He dropped to his knees and crawled over to his backpack on all fours. He fumbled around inside his backpack for his inhaler. As soon as he took it, he felt all the pressure in his chest release.

Suddenly, he felt tears coming down his cheeks now. He loves me, he thought. And all I could say was his name. Eddie stood up now facing the door. He opened it slowly only to find Richie with his hand up about to open the door too.

"Richie-" Eddie tried to speak but was silenced by Richie's hand cupping his cheek and his lips pressing against his own. Eddie stepped back, shocked.

"I'm sorry." Richie said. "I shouldn't have-" Eddie grabbed the collar of Richie's hoodie and pulled him in. They two stood there kissing for what seemed like minutes. Eddie never knew how much he hungered for Richie until his lips met his. They only stopped to catch their breath, then continued to kiss not ever wanting this feeling to end. Richie started to walk forward and closed the door, never breaking contact with Eddie. They both fell onto the bed. Richie clinging onto Eddie from above. They stopped abruptly to the sound of footsteps, silently laughing at one another.

Richie passed out from exhaustion, hand still on Eddie's small waist. Eddie smiled and although he was out of breath, he didn't need his inhaler. He curled into a little ball and placed a hand on Richie's rising and falling chest. He was finally calm.