Princess, Knight and Dragon ✔️ Reddie

I Don't Know Why I Like You, But I Do

'Rich, I can't accept this,' Eddie insisted for the umpteenth time as he stared at the vehicle in the parking lot.

'Yes, you can,' Richie said, grinning from the other side of the hood. 'Come on, you know you've always wanted one.'

'I know, but –'

'And I did say that I'd get you a car as payback for the room in the flat.'

Eddie spluttered, 'I thought you were kidding!'

'It's not like it's brand new,' Richie rolled his eyes.

'Yeah, because it's vintage,' Eddie enunciated with awe. 'It's better than new.'

Richie grinned, 'There you go, then. A vintage car from your vintage friend.'

Laughing as he crossed over to where Richie stood, Eddie said, 'Are you saying you're better than all the new friends I've made over the years?'

'Yeah, obviously,' Richie snorted. 'I'm famous, hilarious and bought you a car.'

'Good point,' Eddie admitted. 'And you stopped me from dying at the hands a demon alien clown.'

'I think you've saved my life more than I've saved yours.'

Richie didn't just mean when Eddie had thrown the spear into the Deadlights. He meant every time when Eddie had been the thing which kept him going, every time he had tried to be better for Eddie's sake, especially recently.

Moving to New York, moving in with Eddie, cleaning up from the drugs and the alcohol and the partying; Richie was sure that Eddie Kaspbrak was the best reason to look after himself, a real reason to live.

'We don't have to keep score,' Eddie said quietly, resting his palm on the varnished paintwork. 'Besides, I think I'll owe you forever for this anyway.'

Cocking an eyebrow, Richie asked, 'Does that mean you're keeping it?'

Groaning, Eddie fought a smile and failed. 'Yes, fine. I'll keep it, but I want you to understand that this is too much and you didn't need to do this.'

'You're welcome,' Richie beamed smugly, dangling the keys from his index finger. 'Shall we go for a drive?'

'How about a very glamorous trip to pick up Maggie from her swimming lesson?' Eddie suggested, snatching the keyring.

'Perfect,' Richie agreed, sidling past Eddie to scoot around to the passenger door. They slid into their seats and hummed as the leather cushioned their backs.

Eddie gasped, 'Fuck, it's got walnut panelling.'

'Is that good?' Richie asked, scanning the dashboard, and Eddie only laughed at him as he twisted the key in the ignition.

The engine purred and Eddie smiled. He leaned his elbow on the head rest as he reserved out of the space, and Richie tried not to stare at how his shirt tautened around his arms.

Out on the road, Eddie revved and shifted into third gear. He sighed happily as he listened to the machine around him. 'Okay, yeah. You're the best friend I've ever had. Hands down.'

'Alright, keep it in your pants,' Richie laughed, and wished he was joking.

He didn't know how to drive himself, having never needed to or seen much of the appeal, but watching Eddie drive was fascinating to him. Not because Eddie was doing anything differently to any other driver, but because Richie felt catapulted back to their youth, when he and Eddie used to borrow Bill's car and drive to the outskirts of Derry just to get away from it all for an evening.