Chapter Text
It was no secret that Richie and Eddie had feelings for each other. Not to the other losers or even to themselves. It was like an unspoken thing between them. Neither said the way they felt in fear of this easy chemistry they had disappearing.
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Eddie had been having a rough day.
His mom had been even more psychotic them normal that morning, and in his rush to get out of the house he had forgotten his backpack. Unwilling to go back he had gone to school and borrowed supplies from other to get through classes.
If that wasn’t bad enough, Bowers and his goons were being extremely aggressive today, basically following him around all morning taunting him and just being dicks in general.
The bell marking the start of fourth period rang as Eddie speed walked through the halls. In his attempted to avoid Bowers he had taken the long way to class and was now going to be late.
He turned a corner and felt his heart drop as he saw Bowers and company hanging out about halfway down the hallway.
Eddie spun on his heels, hoping to get out of sight before he was spotted. But of course, with the way his day was going that didn’t happen.
“well well well, if it isn’t one of my favorite little losers.” He heard Bowers call from behind him. Eddie froze and felt his arms pulling into himself, bracing as he heard footsteps approaching.
Eddie’s felt his breath leave him as his back as slammed hard against a locker. Bowers had his hands wrapped in Eddie’s shirt as he held him to the locker.
“I think you’re due for a real beating, you little freak.” Henry breath hitting Eddie in the face as he struggled to intake air. A hand gripped onto his cheek.
“See you after school.” Henry slapped his cheek a few times before dropping his hands and turning from Eddie.
Laughter filled his ears as Eddie slid to the ground, still struggling to regain his breath. His throat closing as the panic of not being able to breath brought back memories.
He shut his eye’s and tried to focus on his breathing but couldn’t seem to do it. Of course, today was the one fucking day he didn’t have his inhaler.
His eye’s started to water in fear at the thought of blacking out in the middle of the hallway.
“Eddie?”
Eddie’s head snapped to the side when he heard a familiar voice calling his name from down the hall.
His vision was blurry and he wasn’t sure if it was from the tears or the lack of oxygen, but he could make out a figure running towards him. As it got closer, Eddie could make out the god-awful bright colors of a shirt, and he only knew one person who would wear something like that.
As Richie reached Eddie he dropped to his knees in front of him and yanked his backpack off of his back. He dug through the pouches until he grasped onto a small piece of plastic at the bottom.
He shoved the inhaler into Eddie’s mouth and squeezed the trigger as soon as he saw Eddie’s lips close around it. He did this a few more time’s until Eddie’s hand wrapped around his and pulled the inhaler from his mouth.
“Th-thanks.” Eddie said through heavy breaths. He raised one of his hand up to wipe at his eyes.
“Are you okay?” Richie asked, eye’s scanning the hallway for any sign of what had happened.
“I’ve been better.” Eddie answers honestly dropping his head to look down at the floor. Richie turned his head to face the smaller boy and he noticed some new tears forming in his eyes.
“Come on.” Richie moved his hands to Eddie’s arms and help pull him to his feet. Once they both stood his kept his hold on one of his arms and pulled him towards one of the school’s exits.
Eddie look after Richie confused but let himself be dragged through the halls and out one of the doors.
Neither said anything until they had reached the small patch of trees just outside of the school property. the little “forest” was mostly used by students as a place to get high or make out.
Richie and Eddie sat side by side, leaning against a tree as Eddie explained everything that had happened.
“God, Bowers is such a fucking douche.” Richie shook his head as Eddie finished talking. “I’ll fight him after school for ya Ed’s.”
Eddie let out a small laugh.
“What, so both of us can get beat up. No thanks, I’ll just try to get home without running into him.” Richie huffed out a breath and crossed his arms.
“By the way Rich, why do you have an inhaler in your bag?” Eddie asked after a few moments of silence passed between them.
Richie’s arms uncrossed and he lifted one up to rub at the back of his neck. He looked down at Eddie, and Eddie could swear there was a faint blush on his cheeks.
“Well, I might have stolen one from your place, you know, just in case you ever needed one and didn’t have yours.” Richie finished and turned his head away embarrassedly. Eddie smiled at the sight and before his brain could process what he was saying he was opening his mouth to speak.
“This is why I love you, You’re such a dork.” Eddie eye’s snapped open when he realized what he had said. Richie’s head quickly turned back to face him.
Both boy’s faces were red as Eddie stutter a few sounds out, trying to think of a way to back peddle.
Riche grabbed Eddie’s hand (which was flailing around in panic) and squeezed it before speaking softly.
“I love you too, you loser.”