respirations | ― open post.

( even decades of being apart from one another, it turned out that it wasn't hard to fall back into what had been the familiar. reading richie, for example, had always been easier for him perhaps because they were similar in that regard. they always understood one another and it was one thing he was grateful seemed to have withstood the tests of time that had been shoved against them. )

I'm off tomorrow so it's fine. I'm game for your crazy horror movies.

( not that eddie thinks he'd ever not want to hang out with richie even if it was just something as simple as watching a movie. it's easy to fall back into familiar patterns like falling asleep on rich's shoulder or with his head in the other's lap. he ultimately tries not to think too hard about it even if, you know, he's already dropped the fact that he was still ridiculously in love. it's harder still when every progression of their relationship reminds him of something from the past, something more and it takes him back to that train of thought that asked if he'd be able to give rich want he needed.

it doesn't help that work for the both of them picks up in the next few months. eddie finally lands a permanent position with a large company and richie has tour dates from one coast to another. they talked on the phone and text as often as they can but it's just... it's just not the same. he realizes it hard one day when, on the phone with richie, he absently says I wish you were home. and let's his true feelings come out for once. he had been so afraid of pushing things too fast but wasn't being honest important? he had spent so much time being dishonest with myra about his feelings and his happiness. he couldn't sit here and lie to rich, not that he thinks he could ever lie to richie.

the day richie is scheduled to come home is a day that eddie has to work late. it's near midnight by the time he gets home, toeing his shoes off and shrugging out of his coat with a heavy sound. still there's a small smile noting richie's things scattered about after this long month. )

Rich?

[It's the simplicity of it at that does him in, faster than admitting his feelings which they both knew were there. Richie would wake up from a bad nightmare and Eddie would just be there, wordlessly, and sit with him without any demands or grief. They fell asleep a tangle of limbs the same way they always had when they were young. When Richie worked himself too hard going over lines, he'd wake up in his bed and not remember how he got there but he knew, deep down, that it was Eddie ushering up in the haze of weariness so that he wouldn't hurt his back or work himself sick.

The same thing remained even with 1200 miles of distance between them. Richie just liked talking to Eddie so he'd send him pictures while he was on tour or stupid texts. Things like memes, or funny bits he'd seen before his slot, just to make Eddie smile.

He hoped it made him smile.

When he was in Florida he sat down with Mike, who seemed to know immediately that something was wrong. They talked, and since Mike was the only one that never left understood immediately and was empathetic about the whole thing. It had been one of the most awkward and profound moments he'd ever had simultaneously. Mike had made a comment then too.

We were always better together. All of us, but especially the two of you. I've never seen anyone more perfect for each other. Sometimes it's like you shared a soul.

Richie, of course, quipped back with something like "These Senior Citizens will make a love guru out of you yet," but he knew it was true. The tour went like it usually did - frantic, lots of light, less sleep, and constant movement. It's not as fantastic as its all chalked up to me.

When he gets home he immediately drops his shit in the living room, toes out of his shoes, and sits back on his chaise in his office to massage his own feet. They ached something awful from the flight and his two weeks of stage shows. He'd half expected Eddie to be home, but he wasn't bothered by him working late. Eddie was always fluttering around like some hyperfocused hummingbird.

Richie's got his thumb pressed into the arch of his foot through the sock when he hears him call out.]

Mhm. Yeah. I'm in here.

( it is always easy to fall into the old simplicity of things. yes, it was never going to be as it had been back when they were kids but did that matter? wasn't it worth learning from what had been and creating something new? he tries to remember that as they work on remembering what had been forgotten in their years apart with eddie and richie both having to learn the new things that had changed in them both.

like richie, eddie had nightmares that would leave him breathless and in a panic at times. yet without words needed, richie would be there to settle him down. he would sit up and wait for him when work ran late. he would text him throughout the day with stupid little reminders and images that would leave eddie unable to help but smile. he'd make dinner, messing up the kitchen and laugh as they'd wash dishes.

and, yeah, he smiled. he couldn't help but smile.

that smile lights up his features when he hears richie's voice and drops his things to head to richie's office. he pauses briefly outside the doorway but finally pushes in with another smile gracing his features. for a quiet moment, he lingers and watches rich before moving forward toward where he lounges. although eddie has another pause in his movements, it doesn't linger long before he leans down to press a warm kiss to the corner of richie's mouth. he keeps close, letting their foreheads press together before he finally speaks: )

How was everything? I missed you.

[It wouldn't surprise him if Eddie kept himself at work late to keep himself preoccupied with work instead of home alone. Richie figured out pretty fast that Eddie did a lot to keep his mind from wandering and he wasn't any different. Two and a half scotches before the show, because his hands would rattle around the longer the silence went on before the curtains came up.

The kiss surprises him because he's still partway through massaging his own feet. When Eddie pulls back there's no hiding the beguiled smile on his face.]

Good. Exhausting. Like usual, but good.

( he watches for a reaction with a curious expression so, needless to say, eddie is glad to see the beguiled smile that lights up richie's face in a way that makes his heart pound in his chest. quietly, he nods but realizes that it would probably in his best interest to actually talk with richie instead of just staring with wide eyes.

and, so, he finds a seat nearby and sits with a tired sound. )

All the articles I read were singing your praises. ( he says, chuckling but looking at richie warmly. ) I saw a couple of interviews too. It looked like you were having a lot of fun.

[The look on Eddie's face makes his heart rocket around in his ribcage, so he brings his eyes back down to the sole of his foot with the same stupid smile on his face.

Richie feels the weight shift the bed when Eddie sits down, and the temperature in the room rises enough to feel sweltering. Being close to Eddie always made him feel warm, but after talking to him his skin feels hot in a new sort of way. There was no denying their chemistry. ]

You really took the time to look up my press coverage?

[It's a sweet notion, one that made him feel a little fonder for him. It's amazing how Eddie made him feel like a boy again without even trying. Richie was always finding new ways and new reasons to love him.]

Yeah, of course. It didn't help that everyone at work seemed to be talking about you too. ( he says lightly as if it was the most obvious answer in the world. ) I even signed up for Twitter to follow your dumb tweets and, well, to see the pictures that people posted once I figured out how hashtags worked.

( leaning back on his hands, eddie gives another warm look. he wouldn't deny that his own skin didn't feel warm, hot almost, in the best of ways. a part of him wants to inch over until their shoulders bump together but he ultimately leaves that thought alone for now and watches as richie works over the sole of his foot. )

And, besides, like I said: I missed you.

[The thought that a bunch of pencil pushers spending their time discussing his jokes made him beam. Not just because it was in earshot of his favorite person on earth, but also because the new routine was going a lot better than he thought.]

You signed up for twitter? I'm gonna make you show me your account. Later though. I missed you too, buddy.

[Richie leans forward with his free hand and pulls Eddie into a one-armed hug. Somewhere in the process, his hand sneaks up to his hairline above his shoulders. He really couldn't help himself, even after all this time Eddie still felt like home.]

Like I'd tell you. This is my secret to keep. ( he says with a quiet laugh, smiling. ) How else am I going to get to see all the pictures of you posing with people's little dogs and kissing babies?

( eddie is close to another laugh but it falls short as richie leans forward and wraps him up in a one-armed hug. he breathes out a stuttered sound, ultimately burying his face against richie's shoulder and taking in a deep breath. god, yeah, he missed him. he probably couldn't say that enough. )

I'm sure I can figure it out.

[Dates and timeline being a factor. It's a lot of work, but worth it to see exactly what Eddie's creeping on and if he's following anybody else. A twinge of jealousy follows the thought, there's something almost possessive there. Richie knows he'd love to be the only person on the twitter-sphere worth following.

The hug is nice, not nearly as intimate as he'd wanted but days turned into weeks and with very little human contacting Richie can't help but sink into Eddie's much smaller frame.]

Okay, where are those pictures? Because I'd love to see them. There wasn't a meet and greet.

Mm. I don't know, I covered my tracks pretty well.

❪ there's a laugh, small but warm as eddie nuzzles himself closer against richie's form. it's a warmth he's missed and, yeah, it's not nearly as intimate as a part of him wishes it was but there is something comforting in having richie sink in against him. it has him pulling his arms tighter around him, nose brushing against his hair and unable to help his smile. ❫

I'll send them to you. They're all really good pictures too, very cute.

Every now and then I forget what a complete and total fiend you can be.

[Although he'd learned early on that Eddie counted on people underestimating him it never ceased to make his pulse quicken. Eddie could be every bit as conniving and quick on his feet as any of the losers, better even because it paired with his natural compassion.

The tickle of Eddie's nose against his hairline sends a shiver up his spine and goosebumps appear on the back of his arms.]

I don't need some pictures of me with strangers. You can keep them, send them to Bev and talk about what my PR guy decided to put me in for the night.

[Fashion, not his strong suit. After a moment relishing the feeling of Eddie's body heat and the structure of his body pressed against his he pulls back.]

What did you do for a week without me? I half expected to come home and everything rearranged.

I'll have to be more careful then. Make sure you don't forget.

❪ the grin on his face is playful, at least. honestly, in some ways, he still counted on people underestimating him just so he could throw it right back at them. made for a hell of a work environment but he was always happy to prove how good he was and he was good at what he did. ❫

Already have. What do you think kept me busy during my lunch breaks? We've both decided you need more reasons to break out a fitted suit.

❪ it's not something he exactly likes-- richie pulling back but eddie keeps himself from making or saying anything to give himself anyway. instead, he leans back and tilts his head curiously. ❫

Didn't have the time after deep cleaning this place. ❪ he says, toeing the carpet. ❫ I'll shoot for rearrangements during the next tour.

Me? Forget - not a chance.

[There was no forgetting that Eddie was a brilliant guy, underneath all the sweater vests and tight pants there was an ingenious and dedicated guy. The sort of person that was a diamond in the rough.]

Any excuse to see you in something that hugs those curves.

[Curves being a stupid joke about Eddie's ass, something he's never been quiet about not even as a kid.]

I'm not leaving for a long time, Eds. So, you can get comfortable. You want a foot massage too? Or is the carpet doing a good enough job?

Then you better not forget, Trashmouth. I'm gonna hold you to it.

❪ still the comment about curves causes eddie to roll his eyes but he's still smiling nevertheless. it was always hard not to smile around richie. he'd probably smile all the time if he let himself. ❫

I am comfortable, Rich. I like it here but I'm a little suspicious about this foot massage. You're the sort of asshole that might just try to tickle me instead.

Scout's honor.

[Never mind that he was neither a scout, never had been, nor was he particularly honorable. At least not in a general sense, but his dedication to Eddie was incomparable. Instead of a salute, he does the hunger games sign. To play up the obvious truth of things.]

Wait. I wasn't even thinking about tickling you until you brought it up.

Edited 2020-05-11 20:57 (UTC)

Mm-hmm. Scout's honor.

❪ eddie repeats looking skeptical at best but he ultimately smiles, shaking his head. well, at least until richie continues on and shoots him another skeptical look. ❫

Yeah, alright, sure. Well you can stop thinking about it anyway.

― open post.

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