I guess so. Thankfully, I was able to crack the code of your handwriting and figure out your name.
❪ again, he makes a noise that might be mistaken for amusement. ❫
Yeah, no worries, I'll text you. I'll see you then.
❪ and, once more, eddie finds himself going through his day as normally as possible despite the thoughts lingering in the back of his mind about this forgotten marriage that had taken place when he was barely an adult. still, he goes through his motions and finishes out the day with another mostly sleepless night after texting richie the directions to the coffee place.
he does manage some but needless to say he is grateful for the fact he picked a place with coffee for this... meeting of sorts. eddie is sipping on his coffee when he hears the door chime and glances up, immediately recongizing the figure. though not because he knows him or remembers him but because eddie might have watched a comedy segment or two.
it's with a small sigh that he raises his hand and waves the other man down. ❫
Hey. I went ahead and ordered some coffee for you.
[Sleep didn't find him easily the night before his flight. Despite being able to carry out his week as normally as possible the pre-game jitters got to him and he tossed and turned all night long. What little sleep he did have was plagued with frantic cloying dreams, the sort of stuff with no real meaning or images to cling to and his anxiety had spiked so high before the flight call that he wound up popping a few pills just to tolerate the trip.
The ride to his hotel was abysmal, Richie didn't so much as unpack before he was on his way to the small cafe. He was dressed normally, a t-shirt with a loose button-up over it and some jeans over boots. The only difference was that he had a black ball cap on over his slightly too long hair and thick black-rimmed glasses, eyes too dry from lack of sleep for contacts.]
Hey. [Richie's quick to wrap his palms around the mug and take a seat. He brings the mug to his lips and is pleasantly surprised when the drink is neither too sweet or too bitter.] Thanks. I appreciate it. Nice to finally meet you in person, well, I guess for the second time?
No problem. I figure if you're anything like me, you'll need it and― sorry. ❪ he says, cutting himself off as eddie turns to cover a yawn. it's clear the two plus days of terrible sleep is certainly catching up with someone. ❫ And, yeah, it's good to finally meet you again.
❪ and for a moment he stares as if searching for something before eddie ultimately shakes his head and glances away, thumbing through the folder he has in his lap. ❫
Even if I can't remember the first time we met. I mean, I don't remember anything about you. You're pretty much a stranger to me yet― ❪ yet somehow all this happened. ❫
Anyway― it explains a lot of what made it so hard for me to find shit in my name for some of my early twenties. Because I never would have thought I had done something like change my last name. ❪ with a small look up, he shrugs and removes the old marriage application that he lays out carefully between them. ❫ I figured you'd want to see everything, at least. Know that I wasn't fucking around with you.
[Well, they had to have enough in common in their twenties to seal the deal which only gives him more questions and less answers. Richie never made it a habit of hanging out in Canada, and the trip looked purposeful - no marriages by Elvis, nothing out of the ordinary.
Richie's got the paperwork in his hands and he's staring back at it like it might show him the whole story, but it doesn't do anything. It still seems to unbelievable.]
No, uh - after you the sent the documents I did a little research of my own. Everything looks legit. You know, it's weird, I'm not- I mean, I never officially came out of the closet but here we are - getting married at twenty like some high school sweethearts. Hard not to feel like you might have missed out on your own superhero origin story, you know?
Tell me about it. I've never been― ❪ with a man, eddie doesn't quite say because clearly he fucking was with one. probably the first person he ever dated, first kiss and everything else under the sun and he can't remember a damn thing about him. ❫ Anyway, yeah, I know the feeling but it's funny you mention high school.
❪ this time he has to go through his pocket but he finally brings out the item, very clearly a class ring. ❫
I've had this for... well, forever. I figured it was mine and left it at that. I don't know about you but until this all started happening, I hadn't thought about where I lived with I was younger in... ❪ and he sighs, shrugging. ❫ I just never thought about it, I guess.
❪ it's weird, now that eddie thinks about it. don't most people sometimes think about the past and where they came from? ❫ Anyway the point I'm trying to make is that I think this is yours.
Oh. Yeah, thanks - but you can keep that. A token of my memory.
[Richie didn't particularly love where he went to high school and how he had to live in that shitty little town. Even now, he can't help but feel robbed - not being out of the closet, not having any experience to look back on positively with regards to his own sexuality.]
I know you're keeping it a secret, and for good reason too. I'd hate to upset your newly married bliss, but later on you'll love the story about how you were married to a famous comedian and neither of us had any idea.
I only wish I had known sooner. I bet you looked sharp in a tuxedo.
If you're sure. It feels strange to keep something I have no real memory or connection too besides what I'm making now.
❪ eddie can't really remember enough about high school or the shitty little town where they both apparently lived to hate it. it was just a blank spot in his memory, a frustrating blank spot and he can't help but frown slightly. ❫
Yeah― a funny story, I guess. But we're still not married just yet and, honestly, it wasn't so much my idea. I think it's too soon but this has caused a surprising hiccup that's helped a lot with stretching things out.
❪ he laughs then and shakes his head, amused: ❫ Me? What about you? I'd like to have seen you cleaned up. I wonder if we even wore something nice or just showed up in jeans and shirts.
[It's a random thought that pops into his head, along with his truth - he didn't remember much of anything. Glimpses, probably, but nothing substantial or concrete. His face falls at the realization.]
From what I hear, cold feet's normal, but if it's not your idea you might want to dial it back and decide whether or not you're willing to make the lifelong commitment. This isn't like renting a car.
[So he assumes. Richie's track record for relationships was terrible. The coffee is a great place-holder for his inability to shut up.]
Well, I've never worn something nice a day in my life. I'd like to think you did though.
Not really. I don't remember a lot about where I grew up, I guess I just don't care to think about all of that.
❪ he says, shrugging but ultimately glancing back to richie as the other man talks. he can't help raising a brow and although there's a spark of annoyance that flares up there is also something else there.
something more familiar. ❫
I'm willing to make the commitment but, like I said, I think its too soon for us. We've only been dating for less than a year. ❪ why is Eddie even telling this guy this? yeah, he his husband in some fucked up regard but they are still ultimately strangers to one another. ❫
So you in a shirt and slacks and me in a tux? Sounds awkward at best.
Me either. I think, well I know Derry's fucked. From what I can remember.
[If it's too soon, it's too soon but in Richie's experience grooms that already want to nix an engagement don't have real enough feelings for the bride. His industry has seen it a hundred times, quick botch weddings and quicker divorces.]
Maybe I wore a tuxedo shirt and styled my hair. I clean up okay. I might've been your dream come true at the altar. You don't know.
Collective amnesia? What is that like - mass hysteria?
[Jokes, jokes always ease the pressure. Richie mimes Eddie by taking a sip of his own coffee, and he spreads his legs out under the table close enough that he knocks his knee into Eddie's.]
Me too. It's pretty weird, I mean, those are some serious years to forget. Formative stuff.
I don't know about hysteria but it's just - it's just weird like you said. I mean it's one thing to forget things from your childhood but how could I just forget someone that I went and married right out of high school?
( It's said with another frown and he moves to take another sip of his coffee before Richie's knee knocking into his seems to jostle him a little. More than that Eddie notices something else, something that gets him reaching out and taking Richie's hand into his own. )
Oh, wow. ( And it's clear just what has caught his eye when he turns Richie's hand over to show the scar on his palm. A scar just like the one that Eddie ultimately shows on the palm of his own hand. ) It's just like mine.
Beats me. I mean, for all we know - we could be the result of one or two exceptional drunken nights.
[Never mind that he's not out yet, never been out, definitely not confident enough with himself to marry someone. He shifts in his seat and taps his left hand against the surface of the wood, to shake that thought off. Just in time for Eddie to grab his hand, and his blue eyes meet Eddie's face, not for the first time, with a look of familiarity. There's a desperate ache in his chest he doesn't understand, an underlying panic that flutters behind his ribcage.]
Yeah, I- I figured it was from a bike wreck or something. I've had it for as long as I can remember.
This is getting weird, Eds. Like some bizarre superhero origin story, except I clam up when I'm nervous so there's no way I'm some kind of hero.
You would drive all the way to Canada to marry a drunken hook-up?
( Eddie can't help shooting a glance as he asks, blinking curiously but ultimately offering a small smile as his look returns to their similar scars. It's honestly something of a shock but he tries not to let it show on his face as he traces his finger along Richie's own scar before realizing that might just be a fucking weird thing to do and pulling back with a hard swallow. )
Something that happened when I was a kid, you know? I never really thought about it even though when I do sometimes— when I think about my childhood too much, it hurts.
( And then without missing a beat: ) Don't call me that.
( Which almost knocks the fucking air out of his lungs as he reels back slightly and blinks before shaking his head. ) Fucking tell me about. I just angry and yell and just keep fucking chattering my head off.
That's a question for eighteen-year-old Richie, which I am not. I can only guess I had all the charisma of a bull in china shop. What I do remember, I don't remember with any, pride, but uh- it worked for you, right?
[It's an indirect jab at the inherent comedy of their whole situation. Richie's not sure why but he's compelled to hold onto the side of his glasses, to keep them fixed on his face.
Yeah... too much thought about his childhood felt the same, in a sick twisted churning sort of way that felt like it could gobble him up. Fear, and nausea, and so much more blended into a lot of confusion. He'd considered hypnotherapy briefly in his late twenties but he gave that idea up the minute he realized exactly how much he might say.]
Why? Not a fan of nicknames? [That's peculiar, the familiarity of it and how easily he slips into the crooked smile on his face now.] Yeah, I could see that. You seem like a bossy bottom, I guess.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
respirations) wrote2020-02-13 09:47 pm
no subject
[There's a thoughtful pause on his end of the line but he works through the small moment of clarity for the moment at hand.]
So, do I get an uber to this undisclosed coffee shop. You know what? Never mind, text me the address. I'll be there by like 10:15 or something.
See ya tomorrow I guess.
no subject
❪ again, he makes a noise that might be mistaken for amusement. ❫
Yeah, no worries, I'll text you. I'll see you then.
❪ and, once more, eddie finds himself going through his day as normally as possible despite the thoughts lingering in the back of his mind about this forgotten marriage that had taken place when he was barely an adult. still, he goes through his motions and finishes out the day with another mostly sleepless night after texting richie the directions to the coffee place.
he does manage some but needless to say he is grateful for the fact he picked a place with coffee for this... meeting of sorts. eddie is sipping on his coffee when he hears the door chime and glances up, immediately recongizing the figure. though not because he knows him or remembers him but because eddie might have watched a comedy segment or two.
it's with a small sigh that he raises his hand and waves the other man down. ❫
Hey. I went ahead and ordered some coffee for you.
no subject
The ride to his hotel was abysmal, Richie didn't so much as unpack before he was on his way to the small cafe. He was dressed normally, a t-shirt with a loose button-up over it and some jeans over boots. The only difference was that he had a black ball cap on over his slightly too long hair and thick black-rimmed glasses, eyes too dry from lack of sleep for contacts.]
Hey. [Richie's quick to wrap his palms around the mug and take a seat. He brings the mug to his lips and is pleasantly surprised when the drink is neither too sweet or too bitter.] Thanks. I appreciate it. Nice to finally meet you in person, well, I guess for the second time?
no subject
❪ and for a moment he stares as if searching for something before eddie ultimately shakes his head and glances away, thumbing through the folder he has in his lap. ❫
Even if I can't remember the first time we met. I mean, I don't remember anything about you. You're pretty much a stranger to me yet― ❪ yet somehow all this happened. ❫
Anyway― it explains a lot of what made it so hard for me to find shit in my name for some of my early twenties. Because I never would have thought I had done something like change my last name. ❪ with a small look up, he shrugs and removes the old marriage application that he lays out carefully between them. ❫ I figured you'd want to see everything, at least. Know that I wasn't fucking around with you.
no subject
Richie's got the paperwork in his hands and he's staring back at it like it might show him the whole story, but it doesn't do anything. It still seems to unbelievable.]
No, uh - after you the sent the documents I did a little research of my own. Everything looks legit. You know, it's weird, I'm not- I mean, I never officially came out of the closet but here we are - getting married at twenty like some high school sweethearts. Hard not to feel like you might have missed out on your own superhero origin story, you know?
no subject
❪ this time he has to go through his pocket but he finally brings out the item, very clearly a class ring. ❫
I've had this for... well, forever. I figured it was mine and left it at that. I don't know about you but until this all started happening, I hadn't thought about where I lived with I was younger in... ❪ and he sighs, shrugging. ❫ I just never thought about it, I guess.
❪ it's weird, now that eddie thinks about it. don't most people sometimes think about the past and where they came from? ❫ Anyway the point I'm trying to make is that I think this is yours.
no subject
[Richie didn't particularly love where he went to high school and how he had to live in that shitty little town. Even now, he can't help but feel robbed - not being out of the closet, not having any experience to look back on positively with regards to his own sexuality.]
I know you're keeping it a secret, and for good reason too. I'd hate to upset your newly married bliss, but later on you'll love the story about how you were married to a famous comedian and neither of us had any idea.
I only wish I had known sooner. I bet you looked sharp in a tuxedo.
no subject
❪ eddie can't really remember enough about high school or the shitty little town where they both apparently lived to hate it. it was just a blank spot in his memory, a frustrating blank spot and he can't help but frown slightly. ❫
Yeah― a funny story, I guess. But we're still not married just yet and, honestly, it wasn't so much my idea. I think it's too soon but this has caused a surprising hiccup that's helped a lot with stretching things out.
❪ he laughs then and shakes his head, amused: ❫ Me? What about you? I'd like to have seen you cleaned up. I wonder if we even wore something nice or just showed up in jeans and shirts.
no subject
[It's a random thought that pops into his head, along with his truth - he didn't remember much of anything. Glimpses, probably, but nothing substantial or concrete. His face falls at the realization.]
From what I hear, cold feet's normal, but if it's not your idea you might want to dial it back and decide whether or not you're willing to make the lifelong commitment. This isn't like renting a car.
[So he assumes. Richie's track record for relationships was terrible. The coffee is a great place-holder for his inability to shut up.]
Well, I've never worn something nice a day in my life. I'd like to think you did though.
no subject
❪ he says, shrugging but ultimately glancing back to richie as the other man talks. he can't help raising a brow and although there's a spark of annoyance that flares up there is also something else there.
something more familiar. ❫
I'm willing to make the commitment but, like I said, I think its too soon for us. We've only been dating for less than a year. ❪ why is Eddie even telling this guy this? yeah, he his husband in some fucked up regard but they are still ultimately strangers to one another. ❫
So you in a shirt and slacks and me in a tux? Sounds awkward at best.
no subject
[If it's too soon, it's too soon but in Richie's experience grooms that already want to nix an engagement don't have real enough feelings for the bride. His industry has seen it a hundred times, quick botch weddings and quicker divorces.]
Maybe I wore a tuxedo shirt and styled my hair. I clean up okay. I might've been your dream come true at the altar. You don't know.
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❪ he hums thoughtfully before reaching down to take another sip of his coffee, sighing into the cup. ❫
Yeah, maybe. ❪ eddie replies with a laugh. ❫ I just wish I could remember something.
no subject
[Jokes, jokes always ease the pressure. Richie mimes Eddie by taking a sip of his own coffee, and he spreads his legs out under the table close enough that he knocks his knee into Eddie's.]
Me too. It's pretty weird, I mean, those are some serious years to forget. Formative stuff.
no subject
( It's said with another frown and he moves to take another sip of his coffee before Richie's knee knocking into his seems to jostle him a little. More than that Eddie notices something else, something that gets him reaching out and taking Richie's hand into his own. )
Oh, wow. ( And it's clear just what has caught his eye when he turns Richie's hand over to show the scar on his palm. A scar just like the one that Eddie ultimately shows on the palm of his own hand. ) It's just like mine.
no subject
[Never mind that he's not out yet, never been out, definitely not confident enough with himself to marry someone. He shifts in his seat and taps his left hand against the surface of the wood, to shake that thought off. Just in time for Eddie to grab his hand, and his blue eyes meet Eddie's face, not for the first time, with a look of familiarity. There's a desperate ache in his chest he doesn't understand, an underlying panic that flutters behind his ribcage.]
Yeah, I- I figured it was from a bike wreck or something. I've had it for as long as I can remember.
This is getting weird, Eds. Like some bizarre superhero origin story, except I clam up when I'm nervous so there's no way I'm some kind of hero.
no subject
( Eddie can't help shooting a glance as he asks, blinking curiously but ultimately offering a small smile as his look returns to their similar scars. It's honestly something of a shock but he tries not to let it show on his face as he traces his finger along Richie's own scar before realizing that might just be a fucking weird thing to do and pulling back with a hard swallow. )
Something that happened when I was a kid, you know? I never really thought about it even though when I do sometimes— when I think about my childhood too much, it hurts.
( And then without missing a beat: ) Don't call me that.
( Which almost knocks the fucking air out of his lungs as he reels back slightly and blinks before shaking his head. ) Fucking tell me about. I just angry and yell and just keep fucking chattering my head off.
no subject
[It's an indirect jab at the inherent comedy of their whole situation. Richie's not sure why but he's compelled to hold onto the side of his glasses, to keep them fixed on his face.
Yeah... too much thought about his childhood felt the same, in a sick twisted churning sort of way that felt like it could gobble him up. Fear, and nausea, and so much more blended into a lot of confusion. He'd considered hypnotherapy briefly in his late twenties but he gave that idea up the minute he realized exactly how much he might say.]
Why? Not a fan of nicknames? [That's peculiar, the familiarity of it and how easily he slips into the crooked smile on his face now.] Yeah, I could see that. You seem like a bossy bottom, I guess.