respirations | ― open post.

Why can't it be both? The shit we dealt with- it's enough to make you a little crazy. I know I'm not stable.

[Not that he ever was, Richie visibly settles when Eddie does- bumps his knee into his gently like he used to do all the time when they were kids.]

Not bad. Just not you. I imagine it'll come back to you once you work through this, and I'm here to help.

Who would be stable after that shit? Ben, maybe, with his perfect abs. But yeah, I'm probably sitting in both camps pretty hard at this point.

❪ it's enough to get him chuckling as he bumps knees back with rich, utterly reminded of those times as kids and then again as teens when they'd look for any reason to sneakily touch one another. ❫

Thanks, Rich. I really mean it. I'm glad I got you as a best friend.

Talk about feeling like shit. I walked up on Ben and Bev outside the Jade, and immediately regretted coming. Everybody had a glow up and here I am a drunk middle-aged exact replica.

[It's a joke, but the admonishment is sincere in it. He really did have a moment of doubt, that is- until he saw Eddie, and then he had several more moments of doubt and a whole lot more in the ways of drinks.

When his knee is bumped back, that pulls a grin out of him. There's nothing he wouldn't do for Eddie, now or before.]

Aw shucks. That's just because nobody else liked us, but thanks Kaspbrat.

Don't be like that. What did Bev say when we were kids? You grew into your looks.

❪ admittedly he hadn't been so thrown off upon seeing bill and mike for the first time. eddie hadn't been thrown off until he saw rich but it had been easy enough to fall into that familiar banter with the other. easy enough to push everything else to the back burner when he had no idea just what richie may or may not remember.

and maybe it's the drinks talking but— ❫

Well— uh, then everyone else can go fuck themselves. You're an annoying trashmouth but you've always been a good friend. I know I can count on you.

[Richie absolutely mimics the face, he'd made when he was younger, of course, it's rougher and his jaw is stronger, hands larger but the point remains. Time hadn't done much if anything for him.

What it had done was make him more resilient, and he settles into an easy smile. Everything was simple with Eddie, always had been even when he was shrieking at him and pulling his hair as boys.]

Wow. Language. My virgin ears. Well, duh- you think I'm gonna let you go to a hotel? [And in his best Eddie Kaspbrak impression:] Do you know how much bacteria breeds there? You could walk away with scabies and those maids they go through your stuff, you know? They touch all your shit and who knows what they dragged in from the last place they were cleaning.

❪ and eddie absolutely bursts out into a grin and some dumb fit of laughter just like when he had been a kid. once again, the drink probably isn't helping matters but the look he gives rich once he settles back against the couch is a fond one. ❫

Nothing about you is a virgin, dickwad. And... and I don't know, maybe? I had no idea what your situation was, if you were even in town and what if you had someone over? There was a lot shit running through my mind. ❪ still there's a tiny glare at the impression but one that falters and he laughs, shaking his head. ❫ I did bring my own sheets, you know.

[It's nice to see Eddie laugh, and as he is laughing Richie pulls a hand to his shoulder and gives it a friendly squeeze.]

Oh yeah. Like I could have had someone over. Because guys are just dying to come home with this.

[So, he was gay. That was a revelation he'd come around to after the events in Derry, but of course, the biggest catalyst had been Eddie what he had with him, what he remembered having.]

If it makes you feel better you can change the sheets in my guest room but I promise you nothing's gone down in there.

Oh, come on. Don't talk like that.

❪ and he might tilt his head slightly, putting his cheek against rich's hand because it seemed like a good idea. that and, honestly, it was just nice. ❫

No, man. I believe you. I brought them just in case I did put myself up in a hotel.

[It was nice, and a small saccharine smile creeps its way onto Richie's face to replace the indignant look that had previously been there.]

Well, okay, then Rock Star. I was writing some lines when you called. I have to get back to that so I can send them to my editor.

Holler for me if you need anything.

Yeah, okay, Rich. Thanks again.

❪ in the long run, rich doesn't expect to be here too long. he doesn't want to bother rich and his hospitality but it turned out living together was kind of nice. not that his younger self hadn't fucking dreamed of it at one point but he had dreamed of a lot of fucking things before shitty sewer clowns uprooted and ruined most of it.

besides, they were roommates if anything... it wasn't the sort of living together he had actually imagined once upon a time.

it turns out that living together also did a number with rediscovering more forgotten, old memories that eddie probably should have never forgotten in the first place. ones that leave him stealing lingering glances, wondering if he should cross that unspoken boundary but also wondering just what the point would be to bring it up all of the sudden. it's annoying awkward, he finds, to ignore a lot of good fucking memories.

barely a month into the move from new york and he has himself a temp job crunching risk numbers but still, by the books, on the lookout for something more permanent. it's had him out of rich's place for long hours recently but he still makes sure (and looks forward to) their daily texting: ❫

Just got out of my interview
Did you want me to pick something up for dinner?

[The same memories plague Richie too, but he's been reluctant to bring it up when Eddie is still recovering from not only what happened in Derry but his divorce. It would cheap, but some nights when Eddie falls asleep on top of him watching TV and drinking wine Richie doesn't move him, he lets him sleep there and revels in the feeling because of it takes him back to what they'd had when they were younger before IT had ruined everything.]

How did it go?
And yeah- of course. pick up whatever you're in the mood for!

Good, I think
This one pays better than the last one but it involves a lot of travel
Like on a plane every week sort of travel

❪ and he might just be too old for that shit but really, in truth, he's comfortable. he likes seeing rich every day. it helps bring a sense of peace over him that he hasn't felt in a long time. ❫

Right, okay
Indian sound okay?

Extra somasas for me please.
My taste buds say yes but my stomach says to be continued....

haha, well I'm glad it went well.
you sure you want to be on a plane every week though?

Chaat yes or no
But, yeah, I hear you on the extra somasas

Probably not, honestly, even if the money is good
Maybe if I was 25 again but even if my doctor says I'm doing good in recovery
I still get tired out too easy

Gonna pass on the Chaat or I'll be in the bathroom all night
What about Biryani?

Don't worry about work.
You'll find something.
I'm glad you're not into it I think you flying in and out of town would take its toll on both of us lol

Edited 2019-11-19 03:07 (UTC)

Gross, Rich
But, yeah, okay biryani sounds good

And I know
It's just a little frustrating
But how would that take a toll on you?

Cool :) Bring it home dude

And we're roommates now IDK I feel like it'd be weird not having you around to bitch at me for leaving dishes in the sink.

Done and done
I should be home in 20

And I don't bitch at you
I just kindly remind you that the dishwasher is fucking empty

And where would I be without all of that tough love?
You make me a more thorough person.

You make me sound like your wife instead of your roommate
Maybe I should slap on an apron too

You could but I'd text a pic to Bill

Or just keep it for yourself
I also feel like we've had this conversation before
But I get that with a lot of the shit we talk about

It's fucking weird just realizing how much we forgot, huh?

You're telling me.
Now that we're back it's like it all keeps filtering. Awake, asleep, doesn't matter.

It's crazy to think I ever forgot you
Forgot any of you after everything we went through

Fuck, it's just like
Just how different do you think things would be now if we never forgot anything?

I think most of us forgot. Mike was the only one who kept sense of things, but he mentioned Stan was quick on the uptake too.

Maybe not remembering is what kept us together in the end. As sick as it sounds.

What do you mean different?

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if you wanna set another scene we can!! just figured this could be the first night or w/e

yesss def sounds good to me!!

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