❪ he tries to ignore the way his face flushes at the stupid wink and, instead, focuses on bev as she walks in and squeezes his hand. eddie's so caught up in just holding her hand and trying reassure her that he's fine now that he doesn't even here the stampede of the other three until he is suddenly surrounded by them from every direction.

the poor nurse seems amused by their antics as eddie just tries to keep up. mike has arms wrapped around his neck, cheek resting atop his head while bill holds one of his arms and ben holds on to the hand that bev already holds. ❫

You've got to all stop crying— ❪ he says suddenly, shaking his head and sniffling. ❫ Because I'm going to start and I'm so tired of fucking crying since coming back to this town.

❪ and then they're laughing and eddie can only wave his one free hand at richie because come on, get in on this mess. finally, the nurse seems to finish and pulls her clipboard to her chest with a sigh. "Would you like us to give your wife a call?" and that alone is enough to nearly knock the air out of his lungs. still, eddie somehow manages not to freak out and answers simply— ❫

I'll do it myself. ❪ because then, at least, he had to time to think. time to enjoy being with richie and his family before he had to literally go into what will quickly become another fight. ❫