respirations | ― open post.

[Richie wouldn't have cared if Eddie went right to bed but he was still playing the situation by ear. Eddie still reads as rattled, and Richie's never been able to ignore the knee-jerk instinct he had to comfort that in him.

He occupies the seat next to him on the sofa easily, and his legs are quite a bit longer than they used to be, his knees bump against his when he pushes his back into the fabric behind him.]

I get it. I mean, I haven't been in your particular situation but I'm not expecting you to start jumping rope or something here - I just want you to know I'm around if you need something, y'know?

Don't apologize for shit that's not your fault. It's not necessary, if anything it's gonna be nice having somebody else here for a change.

❪ with a deep breath, eddie finishes off what is left of his drink and leans back into the couch. rattled, it seems, was a good word but the alcohol was doing wonders to take the edge off of his shaky feelings. well, anyway, up until their knees bump and eds finds himself locking up again. ❫

I told her I was in love with someone else. ❪ he says suddenly without prompt and wishing he hadn't finished his drink so quickly again. ❫ Everything that happened in Derry and everything I fucking remembered, I just couldn't put it into words. I couldn't make it make any real sense of it for anyone outside of us.

❪ he sighs and brushes his hair back slightly. ❫ It seemed easier this way.

Wow, Eddie. There are gentler ways to end a long-term relationship. Not that I'm defending Myra here, because no offense but you made her sound like a huge bitch anyway.

[Richie's not sure how true it is or if it was just his excuse to get out of Dodge. He leans his body to the right so he can lull his head over his shoulder and maintain eye contact with him.]

I would've thrown your ass out too, but that's implying I had no knowledge of Derry of everything we were a part of. Now I'll remember it until the day I die.

I don't know. Maybe? I guess there was better ways but after everything that happened to me? She didn't take shit I said or did seriously because I was sick. Why do you think it's taken a year? I ran every other play that I could think of to bring it up. It was like dealing with my mom again but somehow worse, you know.

❪ he's rambling, he knows but it helps to get all this shit out. for now, he sets his glass down and folds his arms across his waist as his leg bounces nervously. ❫

I don't think there was ever going to be anything gentle about it.

That's her fucking problem. I'm so proud of you- I mean that's a cycle of abuse you broke in what? A matter of months? I told you, you're stronger than you think.

[It's easy to go from cajoling to consoling especially when he can see Eddie is hurting. It lights a flame within him every time. He hates knowing that he ever had to suffer at all, let alone twice and so soon to almost fucking dying.

Richie can't help it, and he reaches up to smooth Eddie's hair on his head, it being in disarray is so unlike him.]

She clearly wasn't taking care of you. [Not like you deserve.]

Or I'm just crazy. It's one of the two.

❪ still, he doesn't lock up or go still when rich touches him to smooth back his hair. if anything, eddie finally seems to relax a little. he even closes his eyes, the nervous bouncing of his leg finally settling down just enough. ❫

Do I look that bad? ❪ saying he looks like shit was probably a compliment. ❫

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.

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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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