respirations | ― open post.

[ The prom. Yeah. Richie remembers that. He had thrown up five times and once nearly on Stan's feet as he psyched himself up to ask Eddie for a dance. Just one. As a joke even though, for him, it was definitely not a joke at all. In the end, he'd chickened out at the last second and asked Bill for the joke dance.

He'd been disgusted and disappointed in himself for nearly the rest of the month. But maybe this really was him making up for that night. Being braver than he thinks he is... ]

If it makes you feel any better, I didn't want to dance with Bill. He was just the first person I saw when I wimped out from asking the real guy I wanted to dance with.

[ His arms loop around Eddie's waist as he takes a step closer and starts to lead the dance. Slow, gentle turns. His thumb rubs against the fabric of his shirt against Eddie's lower back. ]

I also stepped on his feet, so maybe you lucked out.

( Like everything else they do together even something like dancing is enough to way into step together. There's something to it that gets Eddie's heart racing as they start the slow, gentle turns and his hand comes to brush against the hairs at Richie's neck. Its intimate, terribly so but there's a sureness to his gesture that just feels right despite how hot his face feels. )

You'd be surprised how unlucky I felt that night.

( He admits with a quiet look, tempted to tuck his head against his friend's shoulder but holding back that particular urge for now. )

Maybe not as unlucky as the guy you didn't ask though. He, uh— he would have been a lucky guy, you know? Bill wins out as always.

[ Richie looks down at Eddie with a look of bemusement and surprise. Part of him thought that the other man would have cottoned on to how bad he had it for him as a kid. But apparently not. ]

Lucky to have his toes stomped on? Hardly.

[ He swallows and braces himself on a long inhale. ]

Knowing that guy, he woulda been real worried that I broke a toe or...I don't know. Didn't wash my hands well enough to hold his. He was kinda like that.

( There is a quiet moment when Eddie looks up at Richie with a soft look. Because, yeah, okay— he gets it and maybe he hadn't seen it as a kid but perhaps he was too busy being upset that Richie couldn't see how bad he had it for him. )

Lucky to have danced with you even with toes getting stomped on.

( Another smile appears as he tightens his grip slightly. )

Oh, yeah? Honestly I think he would've just been happy to have you looking at him as more than just a friend.

[Richie's heart is going to beat out of his chest. It is going to explode out and jump into Eddie's arms because that's where it's always wanted to be and the door seems open for that, now. Or at least has a crack open on it that hadn't been there before.

He pulls Eddie closer and adjusts his hands so his arms are almost completely wrapped around him.]

I'm pretty sure I was too convinced that looking at him that way would have gotten my eyes poked out. No one really talked about sexuality in the 80's unless they were talking about getting sick or going to hell.

I...I'm pretty sure I was just way too worried to take that risk, then. Even if I wanted to.

( Eddie is also of similar thoughts that his heart might just burst out of his chest but considering his is still healing its a pretty good concern to have, he thinks! He breathes out a sound, surprised but still happy as Richie pulls him closer.

He can't help the flush of color that once again appears on his features but his look is warm and the smile is certainly unmistakable. )

You could have talked to me. ( Me not him as the hand holding Richie's neck tightens gently. ) I could have talked to you. I think if anyone would be worth the risk then it would be—

( The doorbell rings, startling Eddie although he doesn't step back immediately. )

Shit, dammit, I completely forgot about the food.

[The restaurant isn't far. Richie should have known it would be here fast. He groans and lets his forehead fall against Eddie's.]

This is the worst timing. Fuck. Just. Hold that thought. And this position. And. Everything. Just hold. I'll... Yeah.

[He breaks away with a groan before going to get the food as fast as possible. He almost slides from the door back to the living room in his hurry. The bags go onto the floor in a heap.]

Okay. Alright. Where were we? Can we just pretend that didn't happen?

( Oh, okay, so Eddie didn't think he could be anymore red but Richie is bound and determined to prove him wrong. Even if his friend couldn't hear the sound of his heart, he has to be able to feel the heat and energy radiating off him now. )

Y-yeah, okay, sure. ( He murmurs and watches as Richie breaks away, hating it more than he cares to admit but unable to help chuckling as he almost busts his ass sliding back into the living room. ) Right, well—

( He steps in close again, more just pressing close than really looking for a dance as he glances up at Richie's face. )

We were at the point where I was going to ask you to go out. On a date, I mean if you want to— um— with me if that wasn't clear either.

[Richie's mouth falls open. Not because he's shocked although, yeah. Even seeing this coming it is still a little surprising. But really, it falls open because he's desperate to say something but his voice is just gone.

He gapes like a fish for a long second before his arms go back around Eddie and he can finally make out words.]

Yes! I mean, yes! It's clear you meant you. And yes I want to go out with you. Jesus fucking Christ, I've wanted to go out with you since I knew what 'going out' meant. I had like this notebook under my bed with a million different ideas about how to take you on a date without making it super fucking obvious. Like I could just trick you into dating me. Fucking stupid. Real stupid. But yeah. Yeah. Yes! Yes, date! Date with me! And you. You're definitely required. So yes, you and me. And...

[He steps back but takes Eddie's hand as he babbles]

You're hungry, right? We can go now. Let's go. There's a diner close which is good an- oh. Shit. We ordered food from there. But whatever! Uh. We can...save that? Or throw it away? Or fuck it, I don't know. Whatever. But we can date!

Shit. Okay. I might be messing this up...

( Eddie can only stand and absorb everything as it comes spilling out of Richie. He'd laugh, perhaps. Although he worries that Rich might get the wrong idea if he did and instead lets him run at the mouth to get everything out. It reminds him of being a teenager again, in a way, as Richie goes on and on which just equals to Eddie carrying the warmest, sappiest look on his face.

Eventually though he has to reach up, take Richie's face in his hands and shake his head in response to even the idea that his friend was somehow messing this up. )

Richie, Rich— nothing you could do would mess this up for me.

( He steps back then and lets Richie once again take his hands, squeezing them in a reassuring manner before making a thoughtful sound. )

Why don't we have a date here? A trial date, maybe? Because I'm like super exhausted from that flight and also I look like shit but you're deck is nice so... brunch date on the deck?

Okay. First of all? Fuck you. You've never looked like shit a day in your life. Even bleeding out and covered in grey water you were still obnoxiously attractive. It's like a fucking curse.

Second of all, yes. Yeah, that's a good idea. You just...

[Richie takes Eddie by the hands and leads him to the couch.]

You just sit. Or take your stuff to the guest room upstairs. Or whatever. Just. Let me take care of setting up the patio. First date. Holy shit. Yes. Okay.

[And with that and a sappy smile, he grabs the bags and takes off running to the kitchen to grab plates and glasses and various other things to make this brunch date perfect.]

Wow, okay, shut the fuck up. I looked like absolute shit with nearly everything inside me threatening to fall out.

( He's chopping his hand through the air as he says this, frowning but still following as Richie leads him over to the couch. Eddie doesn't sit immediately, glancing to his luggage and nodding. Right, okay— that was a good idea. )

I'll take my things upstairs. It'll give me the chance to clean up a bit, so uh— I'll be right back down.

( With Richie going one way, Eddie returns to his things and hobbles up the stairs with his suitcase. It's easy enough to find the guest room, breathing in a deep breath and setting his things down. Right, okay, he could do this— first time seeing your best friend in months and now you're going on a date. A date at his house, where he lives now too but a date nevertheless.

Thankfully its easy enough to freshen up real quick, washing his face and changing out of his plane clothes into something a little nicer. He even takes a moment to fix his terrible hair, breathing out another sigh and glancing himself over. He feels off, too skinny from recovery but hoping he doesn't look terrible. The shirt he has picked out hangs low enough on his collar to show the faint beginnings of his scar and Eddie can't help swallowing awkwardly.

Rich wouldn't care, he knows he wouldn't care but— )

Get it together, Eds.

( He whispers, shaking his head and heading back downstairs and trying to ignore all the nervous energy he feels coursing through his veins. Stopping at the bottom of the stairs, he glances around before looking to the open doors leading to the patio and peeking outside. )

Rich?

[Richie isn't sure how much time he's going to have so he moves fast. Or as fast as an old man like him can, at any rate. Still, he hustles.

The first thing he does is move the table closer to his pool. Scenery, right? He clears the top of it off with windex and paper towels because if anyone was going to notice the dust on it, it was gonna be Eddie. Even if his plan involved covering most of that table almost immediately, it was the details that mattered.

He put out place mats that he got from who knew where. The food all goes on platters and plates so that it is almost fancy looking. Richie arranges them like he's gonna take some Instagram photos and then rushes to get coffee, juice, and some candles that literally still have the plastic on them because he never fucking uses candles. Except for now.

When he's done Richie is almost panting with how much he'd been running around. But then Eddie was calling his name and nothing else really matters after that.]

Hey!

[He grins at Eddie and gestures at the table with flourish.]

Ta da! I can clean up for a date, huh? Oh, wait. Shit. Music. I should....

[He pulls out his phone and starts fumbling with it, trying to open Spotify and not have his embarrassing music blare out of it.]

Fuck. One sec. I have a playlist, I think...

( Immediately upon seeing Richie, Eddie can't help smiling at the sight of the other man and trying even harder to ignore how badly his heart is racing. He steps outside onto the patio with his head tilted upwards toward the sun before looking back to Richie as the other man gestures toward the table with a flourish.

It is really nice and he hopes that the warm smile on his face is enough to give that away as he approaches Richie. He's literally fumbling with his phone and Eddie hopes he doesn't throw his off even more when he steps in close, lifts up slightly on his tiptoes and presses a soft kiss to Richie's cheek. )

It looks perfect, Rich. Seriously it all looks awesome.

[The very expensive iPhone Richie owns immediately falls to the floor at that small kiss. Thankfully, he had the foresight to purchase an Otterbox for it long ago so when he scoops it back up between light curses, it is pretty much fine. Richie on the other hand is a bright shade of red and looking even more flustered now than before.

But he's smiling. So. There's that.]

Yeah? Yeah. I...uh. Yeah.

[He pockets his phone and smiles a bit goofily as he rubs at the spot Eddie kissed. It tingles.]

Let's. Um. Food, yes. Date. Oh! Let me...

[He rushes to Eddie's seat and pulls the chair out.]

Monsieur

( If Eddie was a lesser man then he'd probably laugh over the sight of Richie dropping his phone. After all it was something else to see Richie actually at a loss for words or doing something like fumbling his phone like he was a giddy teenager. Though, honestly, Eddie was just as giddy and there is color high on his own cheekbones.

It only colors his face a deeper shade of red as Richie moves to pull his seat out, chuckling but moving to sit. )

Ah, um— merci. ( He sits back, scooting in with Richie's help before glancing back over with another smile as his friend joins him at the table. ) I couldn't have imagined something like this happening today, you know?

You couldn't? Fuck, Eds. I was asleep like forty minutes ago and now suddenly I am on a date with my childhood crus-

[He freezes, not really wanting to get into all of that so soon. As always his mouth got him into trouble. Richie walks to his seat and sits down without really looking at Eddie just yet. He sips on his coffee and clears his throat.]

Yeah. I am pretty stunned by this turn of events myself. But it's good. Maybe the best surprise I've gotten in a long ass time.

Yeah, uh— I used to daydream about shit like this.

( His own dip into the truth even if it is all so soon. Ultimately, Eddie swallows and looks up at Richie will a smile. )

But I'm glad, really. I just don't want you to think that I came out here, showed up on your doorstep and admitted all this because you're some rebound or I'm some lonely fuck that's taking advantage of a friend.

[Richie snorts a laugh right into his mug.]

Eds. Babe. You can absolutely take advantage of me. Like, please. Whenever you want, I am ready and able to be used however you need. The idea that you would take advantage of me is more a fantasy than a fear so seriously. I'm not concerned.

[He smiles at Eddie warmly before giving him a wink.]

Now. Daydreams, you say. How about we keep talking about that?

( Once again, a flush of color blossoms onto his features before taking a long needed sip of his own coffee. )

I'm not going to take advantage of you, jackass.

( Still he smiles shyly, setting his cup down and reaching to start cutting into his pancakes. )

I mean it was just basic teenage daydream bullshit. I just really wanted to go to the movies with you and hold your hand.

[That is enough to have him calm down and give Eddie a smile that is all warmth and affection. God, he is such an adorable person. How did Richie ever forget someone as amazing as him?]

You're so cute. So fucking cute.

[He reaches his hand out over the table and wiggles his fingers at Eddie so he can take it in his own. ]

There may not be a movie playing but I can grant half of that wish.

I'm not cute, Rich. Jeez— I'm forty, you know.

( Still there is this flush of color on his face that Eddie wouldn't be able to deny. It lights up from the tips of his ears and falls all the way down to his neck. He can't help eyeing Richie as the other man reaches out across the table, wiggling his fingers and (at first) Eddie's only response is to swallow hard. )

Well, um— it's more than what I ever thought I'd get. ( It's said lightly, Eddie unable to help smiling as he reaches out and takes Richie's hand. It gets his heart pounding rapidly, a common theme of the day and he just can't help the rambling that follows. )

I thought about all sorts of dumb things, you know? Going to the drive-in or going and seeing the ocean together. Everything I wanted, I also wanted to do it with you.

And you are an adorable forty. The cutest forty in the entire world.

[Eddie's hand is in his own and Richie's heart is in his throat. He smiles wide though and strokes his thumb over the back of Eddie's knuckles. Over his bare ring finger. He gives special attention, there. ]

How were we both so stupid? I mean, you more so than me because I was fucking obvious. I was practically hanging on your side and pulling your pigtails since we were six. You didn't realize I was in love with you?

There's nothing cute about being forty.

( Still the feeling of Richie's hand holding his own is like a fucking dream come true. It is a dream come true and Eddie can't help as he continues to glance to their hands like if he looks away too long then all of this might vanish and he'll wake up back in New York. )

You were obvious; I was fucking obvious, man. I mean I found any excuse to try talking with you and I would just pick fights to get your attention. I mean why do you think I was always throwing myself into the hammock with you? So, yeah, we were both stupid and―

( And oh. So, yeah, he might realize just what Richie said and somehow his face grows even redder as he sits there, mouth open and fork full of pancakes. )

You were in love with me?

[Oh. Okay. That was... Yeah. Not what Richie had meant to say at all. Way to go, idiot. Just blurting out your feelings like that when you two are just getting to the point of holding hands?

Richie goes beet red and has to focus on not dropping Eddie's hand immediately, like it was on fire. ]

I... uh. Yeah, man. I was... Fuck. Okay. Yeah, I was in love with you.

[Richie looks down at his own food and shovels some eggs into his mouth. He can't look at Eddie as he says this. ]

And you weren't obvious. I just thought you were torturing me all that without realizing it. But yeah. I was kind of obsessed with you. Carve-your-initial-on-the-kissing-bridge level obsessed. Which might be a lot to drop on you right now. But. Yeah. Yeah, I was in love with you.

[He coughs and shoves his face into his mug so it will muffle him as he mumbles.]

Dunno if I ever really stopped...

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