Chapter Text
“How is he?” Eddie asks softly. Andrea looks up, and she smiles almost hesitantly, gesturing Eddie to come closer. Andrea was sitting on the bed, Richie in her arms as they were both situated on the hospital bed. Richie’s head was leaning on Andrea’s shoulder, eyes closed and mouth partially open.
It was clear he was asleep, and that he needed it badly.
There were wires connecting to his chest, an IV leading into the crook of his arm and a chip around his finger reading him continuously. He seemed frail, too small as he was fitted in a hospital gown and oxygen tubes in his nose. Dark bags were under his closed eyes, bruises appearing on both his face and his neck.
His face was flushed entirely of blood it seemed like, and he was ghostly pale, hair tousled and messy despite Andrea carefully carting her fingers through it. She was rocking him softly, as much as she could without disturbing his sleep, whispering soft words, singing softly to him.
“He fell asleep 10 minutes ago,” Andrea whispers, and Eddie carefully sits down on the chair next to the bed. “But he hasn’t reacted well… or reacted in the first place.”
“What do you mean?” Eddie whispers with a frown on his face. Richie’s glasses were sitting beside the bed, on the nightstand.
“While the doctors were treating him, it was like he wasn’t even there. He didn’t react to anything they were asking him, not even when I did.” Andrea whispers, and Eddie looks down at that. They were all very close with each other, all four of them. But Bill’s and Stan’s parents.. they had grown up around each other.
Eddie viewed Andrea like a mother… maybe even more so than his own mom. She was the one to comfort him, to care for him like a normal mother. She and Sharon both did. They were all close to each other, and Eddie knew how much Richie loved Stan’s parents as well, always had been closer to Andrea.
The fact that Richie didn’t even react to her, worried him so much.
“And physically?” Eddie murmurs, twiddling with his fingers.
“That… monster didn’t physically hurt him, except for his face and his throat. But he’s severely dehydrated and malnourished, and obviously exhausted.” Andrea explains with a lump in her throat, gazing down. Physically he would be fine, that much was obvious, but neither of them knew what would happen emotionally.
Eddie honestly didn’t remember much from the moment Bev, Ben and Mike had stormed into that basement, only remembered bits and pieces. Stan was alive, they had found his pulse not even seconds after Richie and Daniel had left, he had been knocked unconscious when he hit the floor.
The knife was still in his chest, which was obviously bad, but he was alive for now, which is all that mattered.
He remembered Mike picking up Stan, Ben freeing both Bill and him. They had stolen a car from Bev’s father, who was sitting in jail by then. They had all cramped into the car, and it was…. something Eddie never wanted to experience again. They were all a mess, but Stan and Richie were no doubt worse.
And it was also during the car ride where Richie seemed to completely shut down, as if he was getting trapped in his own mind. Even if Eddie had barely noticed it at that time. He was too busy trying to keep Stan as comfortable as possible, while Bill desperately kept checking his pulse.
Eddie’s eyes had been fixed on Stan’s chest, checking if he was still breathing. Mike had been the one to drive, having the most experience on the farm. It was illegal, but none had cared, and neither did the officers who had been called in apparently. Officer Bowers was dead of course.
And the new replacement, Officer Nell was understanding, and decided to not even write the offense down. The kids had just saved one of their own, probably even saved 4 lives in total. The officers cared, wanted the best for the Losers, as if the town had suddenly changed completely since Pennywise was gone.
Even Bill’s parents had snapped out of their daze.
Eddie swallows, glancing at the door. “Any news on Stan?” He asks, and Andrea’s face falls slightly.
“He’s not awake yet,” She shakes her head, stopping for a moment. “His dad is with him now.” She spoke, and Eddie nods numbly. There was only one visitor allowed at the time, since Stan was still a minor, and with the assurance that Stan was going to be fine, Andrea had reluctantly chosen to check up on Richie.
She didn’t want to leave, but one look at Richie had made up her mind.
“How are you doing Eddie?” Andrea asks eventually, staring at him. Eddie looks up hesitantly, and just that look was enough to make him tear up.
“My mom is on her way right now, and I’m scared to see her.” Eddie spoke, and it wasn’t really what he wanted to say either, but it just came out. His mom had apparently been frantic, absolutely insane even. She had called the police multiple times a day, and even hired an investigator with money from Eddie’s dad.
It’s why they couldn’t reach her any sooner, and Eddie had been glad they hadn’t. He didn’t want to be dragged from his friends by his overbearing mother. He had wanted to be there when they pulled Stan from Mike’s arms, when they pulled Richie away… no, he didn’t want that happening.
But it would’ve happen regardless if he was there, and knowing that, he couldn’t have handled being away from Bill.
They had stayed with each other the entire time, refusing to leave each other’s sides, even when Stan’s parents arrived, even when Bill’s parents did. Mike’s grandpa had come as well, just like Bev’s aunt and Ben’s parents. But the latter three hadn’t been missing, so the parents were understandably less distraught.
“She cares, in her own insane way.” Andrea offers softly, but knowing she couldn’t really say anything to truly make the situation right.
“I’m just so scared of her reaction. I don’t want to leave yet.” Eddie whispers, tears jumping in his eyes. Andrea shifts slightly, careful not to wake up Richie and reaches out with one hand. Eddie understands, shuffling closer and grasping her hand. She smiles at him, squeezing his hand.
Eddie didn’t know how long it had been really, but when he blinks his eyes open he immediately knew it was his mom. There was a woman screaming outside, something Eddie couldn’t quite hear but he could guess what she was saying, or rather; what she was screaming about.
The door flew open, and Eddie was right, his mom was standing there.
“Oh Eddie-bear!” Sonia cries out, and Eddie jolts on the spot as his mom rushes to him. Her arms were immediately around, crushing him. Eddie gasps, wincing as his head was jostled. But as soon as the hug started, it ended. “What are you doing here, where are the doctors?” She sounded frantic.
Eddie doesn’t react, doesn’t know how to react. “We have no idea how much germs you were exposed to, you’re so fragile Eddie-bear, we need medics in here now!” She started screaming, reaching for the alert button. Eddie winces, looking at Richie with a concerned expression.
But it didn’t seem like he was waking up, only a troubled look on his face. But Eddie had no time before a nurse stormed in.
“What is problem?” The nurse asks, rushed but collected.
“You scoundrels needs to take care of my son! This hospital isn’t safe for him, he’s fragile, he needs help.” Sonia hisses, a little anger seeping into her voice. The nurse was clearly taken aback by the woman in front of her.
“Ma’am, Edward is not admitted, he has been cleared.” The nurse speaks with a slight frown on her voice.
“Nonsense! You are a worthless nurse, you need to check him again, he has allergies. You know that? Has he told you? He is fragile and he needs-”
“Mommy I’m okay.” Eddie interrupts but it only makes it worse.
“No you are not!” She screeches, and Richie stirs. “You are a child Eddie-bear, my child. And you pretenders need to help him now!” Eddie’s cheeks burn, and he can feels tears threatening to spill out. He could feel himself trying to shrink in on himself, falling quiet as his mom raged.
All the confidence he had felt that day when he threw his medicine on the ground, telling his mom that he knew they were gazebos, it was all gone. Vanished as he stood there, feeling more vulnerable than he did with Daniel almost.
“Ma’am I need you to calm down, you are disturbing the other patients.” The nurse responds, a little more urgently now. That only seemed to set off his mom even more, and he could see actual rage on her face.
“How dare you? You think you know my son better than I do? You’re a disgrace, you need to be ashamed of yourself and you’re lucky if I will not sue you. Eddie-bear we are-”
“He will not go anywhere Sonia.” Andrea hisses, and it was only then that Sonia realises she had gotten up, and she was pushing her way past Eddie, to stand between him and his mom.
“He is my son Andrea, you have no right! Now step aside or I will-”
“Ma’am that is enough, you are way out of line.” A male voice suddenly interrupts, and Sonia turns around, ready to scream again when she saw Officer Nell standing there, shooting them a concerned glance before settling his gaze on Sonia. She gapes, and it only took a few seconds for her to gain her bearings again.
“This is outrageous, he is my son, you’re endangering him b-” Eddie startles as Andrea wraps an arm around him, glancing at him as if asking him it was okay. And it was more than his own mom ever did to make him feel comfortable, like actually comfortable.
Eddie watches silently, but he can’t even focus on his mother’s screams as she is escorted out of the hospital room they were in by officer Nell, screaming and struggling as much as she could and making a scene all the way. He couldn’t hear what she was saying, and he wasn’t sure if he wanted to anyways.
Before Eddie knew it really, she was gone from the room, and the nurse closed the door slowly behind them with a soft smile to apologise for his mother’s behaviour. He could feel tears burn, and he suddenly felt so exhausted. Andrea seems to sense it, because of course she does.
“Are you okay?” She asks softly, but Eddie shakes his head, not daring to speak. “I’m really sorry Eddie, you don’t deserve that, let’s just sit down for now okay?” She whispers and Eddie nods numbly, allowing Andrea to guide him back to the chair again, and he plops down with an exhausted huff.
Eddie glances at Richie, and much to his surprise he could see Richie staring back at him with an equally sad expression.
“I can’t believe I fucked her.” Richie whispers, and Eddie can’t help but snort. And he has half a mind not to stab Richie with his own IV needle. But it was a laugh nonetheless, and the first words he had spoken since the basement.
*
*
*
“Hey baby, open those eyes for me.” His mother’s voice drifted through the room, and Stan frowns, body almost too tired to do so, but he warily blinks his eyes open, seeing a blurry figure of his mom. What happened? He thinks to himself, and for a moment his brain is too sleepy to catch up.
It only took a few seconds, watching his mom smile down at him with a relieved yet worried face.
“R-Richie.” Stan gasps, everything flooding back all at once. He cringes, squeezing his eyes shut as pain radiates through his brain. The memories overwhelming him, and he looks around with frantic eyes, before they eventually landed on- “M-Mom?” He gasps, and Andrea smiles as he recognises her.
“Hey sweetie.” She murmurs, stroking the side of his head. Stan leans into the touch, feeling tears burn.
“Is this real?” He whispers, almost not wanting to believe it, hope it was real.
“I’m here, you’re in the hospital. You’re safe.” That seemed to break away all the resolve Stan had and he burst into tears. He clung to his mother’s sleeve, feeling a burning sensation spread through his chest and he gasps, unable to stop himself from crying. His mom just held him, shushing him.
Stan had no idea what she was whispering, but his mom didn’t stop murmuring comforting words, holding him tightly.
“R-Richie?” Stan hiccups as soon as he was able to gasp out the word, but his mom immediately understood, shifting slightly so he could see her.
“Is safe, they’re all safe and okay. They’re going to be okay.” She immediately says, not beating around the bush. Stan feels relief fill his body, and he burst into another round of tears, burying his face back in his mom’s embrace. He could hear the door open, and for a moment he had no idea who it was.
“Stan.” His dad gasps, and that was all he need to know before he felt two more arms wrap around him. He didn’t care about anything but having them close to him. He cried tears of joy, forcing all the fear and terror out of him until he had no more tears left to give, and he was left feeling exhausted.
Stan sniffles softly, releasing a shuddering breath as he leans back down with a wince, a hesitant hand going to his chest.
“What happened?” Stan rasps, wincing in pain radiating from his chest. Andrea glances at Donald for a moment, gnawing at her lip.
“We’re… not sure exactly honey.” She whispers, turning back to him and sighing. “We got a call a few hours ago that you were brought into the hospital, and we came here immediately. We couldn’t see you yet so we had to wait for a while, but the surgery went very quickly, and you were brought here.” She starts.
Stan frowns for a moment, glancing around the room. It was a simple room, another empty bed on the other side of the room. There were several machines hooked to him, beeping continuously next to him. He felt empty, exhausted without having done anything.
“We weren’t both allowed into the room, so I stayed with you until they woke up.” His dad continues, taking his hand carefully and Stan could see tears in his eyes. “They told us there was a knife lodged in your pectoral muscle, if… if it had been two inches away it would’ve pierced your heart.”
And Stan didn’t need any further elaboration to know what that would mean.
If Richie, because he had not forgotten how that knife got there, had stabbed him an inch to the other side.. he would be dead right now. If Richie hadn’t missed then he would be dead. Because Richie had tried, couldn’t do anything but try and actually stab Stan in the heart, but he had missed obviously.
And it had just saved Stan’s life.
“And the rest?” Stan whispers, but Andrea shakes her head.
“We were the first of the parents, they just barely managed to get a hold on Maggie and Wentworth, and get them to come home, but Richie had no one with him, so I left to look after him.” She says, and Stan can feel both sadness and relief coil in his stomach. Just the fact that Richie’s parents hadn’t even showed up yet.
They all suspected it really, but hearing that they couldn’t even bother when he got kidnapped was something else.
“They haven’t really spoken much, especially Richie. The doctors say that he’ll be okay physically, but they want to keep him overnight for observation.” His mom continues, and Stan doesn’t miss how she specifically only talks about his physical wellbeing. Stan understood why she did.
He already knew Richie wouldn’t be okay after all of this, and that he would need a lot of time to heal from whatever had happened.
“Can I see them?” Stan rasps. It wasn’t like he didn’t want to see his parents, he wanted to keep them here and never let them go. But all he could think about were his friends, if they were okay, how they were doing. He needed to see them. His dad seems to understand, standing up carefully.
Stan can’t help the smile as his dad’s knees pop as he stands, but his dad only gives him a knowing look before walking out of the room.
“I’m not sure when to bring this up-” His mom whispers, tugging at his hair that was getting a little too long for comfort. “But I you think you’re ready to talk, we’ll be there for you okay?” Her voice was soft, no judgement at all in her voice, just plain concern for him. She smiles softly, and Stan could feel himself calming down.
He nods softly. “I think I need some time mom, but I know.” He whispers. “I love you, I missed you.” The words felt awkward from his mouth, but he didn’t care as his mom’s smile morphs into something sadly, and she nods shakily.
“I love you too baby, so much.” She murmurs, kissing the side of his head.
They don’t really chat much, neither of them feeling like they needed to to pass the time. Stan felt content just being next to his mom, having her next to him as he just lay there. The pain wasn’t the worst, but his limbs felt exhausted still, and the pain was a constant in his chest, dull but there.
It took maybe 10 minutes before the door opened again.
“Stan.” Eddie gasps, and Stan wasn’t even fast enough to comprehend two figures speeding towards him with bright smiles, crowding him. But he felt that he didn’t mind. Eddie and Bill hugged him carefully, no doubt knowing to be careful. They were all crying, hugging each other awkwardly as Stan was still lying down.
Bill and Eddie were speaking, but all Stan could focus on was the figure standing next to his dad. Richie looked so small in the hospital gown he was wearing, blue pants seemingly swallowing him up. There was an IV line inserting in his arm, attached to the stand he was carrying with him.
He almost didn’t dare to look at him, gazing at Stan’s feet instead.
His glasses were put on his face, partially hiding the bruises that decorated his malnourished face. Malnourishment that only seemed to look so much worse now that they were out, now Richie had been cleaned, treated, and put in clean clothes. There was a bruising on his neck that Stan couldn’t quite place. But he could only assume it happened after he was stabbed.
Richie noticed his gaze, and he releases a shaky breath, walking over to Stan’s bedside and sitting down on the chair. Stan didn’t miss the way he seemingly curled up on himself.
“Are you okay?” Stan asks, as if he wasn’t the one in the hospital bed right now, but Richie looked worse than him he was sure. Richie doesn’t look at him, shrugging slightly, which scared Stan. Richie was rarely this silent, it hadn’t even been this bad when they were still in that house.
Eddie seems to notice, sighing and glancing at Stan. “Doctors said he’s malnourished and dehydrated, and also really underweight because of it. They put him on an IV and will help him get more food in his system. But he can go home tomorrow probably.” Eddie answers for Richie, who sends him a grateful look.
Stan glances at Richie, and for a moment the boy looks back at him. Stan understood Richie’s look, and he glances down at his own bandaged chest for a second. He wasn’t even wearing a full hospital gown, probably so the doctors had quick access to the bandages if they needed it.
He wanted to know how he was still alive.
“You missed,” Stan croaks, swallowing thickly. Bill is immediately there to hold up a glass with a straw, and he gratefully takes a sip. Richie still stays silent, but he was now completely focused on Stan. “You missed my heart, you had one job and you couldn’t even do that.” Stan smiles slightly, and for a moment Richie doesn’t react.
He stares at Stan with a troubled expression, but then his expression morphs. “Beep beep.” He whispers, cracking a smile himself. Stan feels tension vanish the moment those words leave Richie’s mouth, and he snickers slightly. He lingers for a moment before turning to Eddie and Bill.
“What happened after...?” Stan asks instead, trailing off. Bill looks at him, sitting down on the edge of the bed almost hesitantly.
“When you were s-stabbed you fell and h-hit your head-” Bill starts, and Stan brings a hand to his head, wincing at the wound he finds. “We think you passed out.” He adds, and for a moment Stan glances at Richie, because he could’ve guessed that’s what happened when he got stabbed.
He remembered the pain he could rarely register, the shock coursing through his body and his legs literally giving out on him before crashing to the ground. His vision was blurry as he fell to the ground, and that’s when everything went black. So he knew he must’ve blacked out, for which he was grateful.
“We’re not exactly sure what happened-” Eddie says, also glancing at Richie for a moment. “But Daniel took Richie out of the room and Bill managed to grab you and realised you were still alive. We had no idea how, until now that is.” Eddie explains and Bill nods.
“Next t-thing we knew Mike, Bev and Ben came into the basement, and we got back to the hospital.” Stan frowns slightly at that.
“How did they find us?” He asks, and Eddie sighs.
“When we went missing as well they first went to your dad, who led us back to the synagogue where we found out about Daniel.” Eddie almost wants to laugh at the memory. It had been so different back then. They still had no idea where Stan and Richie were, if they were even alive.
They had no idea they would find them, and that they would be taken to. And it was weird to think how much had changed in the last 3 days now.
Stan nods knowingly, as they had already told the story of how they found them. “But Daniel said the bungalow wasn’t in his name.” Stan whispers, and he doesn’t miss the way Richie flinches at the name.
“It isn’t.” Eddie affirms, shaking his head. “But when they guessed that the guy had to have taken us as well, and started researching him. And when they knew who he was and where he lived, they went to the police but they found an empty house.” Eddie explains, and the four of them fall silent for a moment.
Because they all understood what Eddie was talking about, Daniel moving them to a different location.
“They told us the p-police found evidence of you both being there, which is h-h-..how they suspected Richie was still alive.” Bill cuts in, glancing at Richie for a moment but quickly turning back to Stan. “It’s like everyone s-suddenly cared after P-Pennywise, and the police opened a w-whole investigation.”
Stan swallows at the mention, looking down for a moment. Because that… that still happened. They had still fought that demon clown, they had killed it, they had lifted whatever curse was looming over the town. And with it, the curse that made adults not care, that caused adults to literally ignore Ben while he was being carved up.
The police that wouldn’t do their job, parents that didn’t seem to care once their child went missing. Bill’s parents had started to be more present, but Stan had only managed to see so little before he got taken as well that night when he was walking home.
“Ben actually found out about Daniel’s wife, but when we went to visit her, the doctors already told us she had died,” Eddie swallows thickly. “She died the same day Daniel woke up a few weeks ago. Some nurse apparently went rogue and killed her.” Eddie’s voice was soft, but they all understood.
Stan understood without Eddie needing to explain himself. Daniel had commanded that nurse to kill her, and that poor nurse had no way of refusing the command. And at first it would’ve confused Stan why Daniel would kill her, but now knowing what the woman did, and what she made Daniel lose, it all made sense.
“The p-police thought it was a dead-end b-but Bev wouldn’t accept that and went to the w-woman’s mom to talk.” Bill chuckles slightly as he tells the story. “That’s h-how they found her d-diary and apparently s-she had been to the b-bungalow once before and she had written it down in her diary.”
“The police was following up on another lead so Officer Nell told them to wait, but they wouldn’t listen,” Eddie continues Bill’s story. “So Bev stole her dad’s car and they drove to our location, and when they arrived they saw Daniel trying… well he was choking Richie.” Eddie stops for a moment, looking at Richie.
But the other boy was just silently sitting there, seemingly not even hearing what was going on around him, and that scared all three of them.
“B-Bev got a gun from the car and t-tried to shoot him, but m-missed. That’s w-when he commanded them,” Bill says, and Stan can feel his stomach flip at the implications. And for a moment he could feel panic. “He m-made Bev point the gun at herself, but he… I guess he didn’t care about h-her too much because he went to R-Richie, but she doesn’t understand w-why-”
Bill trails off, trying to not stare at Richie but it was failing. Richie bit his lip, turning away from them. And Stan could guess what was going on. Richie hadn’t told them what happened when he was alone.
“Richie picked up the knife and stabbed Daniel in the throat,” Eddie pushes out, causing Stan’s eyes to widen. “They say he died instantly.”
“But the house rules-” Stan almost squeaks out, eyes widening as he looks at Richie. They weren’t allowed to attack, hurt or kill Daniel. They literally couldn’t do so. And he knew Daniel wouldn’t forget, he never did.
“I thought you were dead.” Richie whispers, almost a whimper, and Stan can feel his stomach turn violently at the admission. Because he understood, for a moment he thought he’d die too. “He….- his commands didn’t work anymore, I don’t know why.”
“How….?” Stan asks, blinking with a confused expression. Richie only managed to shrug, not actually knowing what to say in response. Because he had no idea how he had managed to break free, but he could guess of course. that the moment he was forced to stab Stan, to actually kill him…
it had shocked him so much that he became immune somehow.
Tears jumped in Richie’s eyes, biting his lip as if he was too embarrassed to let it all out.
“Richie-” Stan whispers, but that only seems to make it worse, and big tears were rolling down Richie’s cheeks. “Come here.” Stan whispers, tears brimming in his eyes that he refused to let fall. Richie moves before he can even consider it himself, crawling into Stan’s bed and latching onto him.
Richie immediately burst into tears, tightening his hold and Stan groans softly as the wound on his chest was agitated but he didn’t pay attention to it, could only focus on his eyes burning with tears, tears he couldn’t care to hold back anymore. So he let them fall, burying his face in Richie’s hold.
And they cried; holding onto each other.
*
*
*
It was late in the evening, almost close to bedtime, when the nurse came into their room. Richie glances up with a frown, hand stopping in front of his mouth before he could take another reluctant bite of the fruit.
“They’re here.” The nurse says, and Richie didn’t need any elaboration to know what she was talking about. Suddenly his stomach recoiled, and he instantly dropped the piece of mango back in the tray, shuddering with disgust. Andrea silently takes the plastic container from his lap, putting it on the table.
They had encouraged the fruits as a way to increase Richie’s appetite, and to slowly get him back to a healthy weight again. It was the only thing he seemed to be able to stomach right now. So Donald had offered to get some for him, after the reassurance that the rest of the Losers were staying with Stan.
And for a moment, Richie had forgotten that his parents were on their way to the hospital.
Andrea seems to sense his hesitance, reaching out. Richie felt bad for taking so much comfort in someone else’s mom rather than his own. And he felt even worse for realising he was afraid of seeing his parents, reluctant. He didn’t want them to come, didn’t want to see them really.
They never cared for him, they were never there when he needed them, they left him alone when he could barely look after himself, so how could he-
“Richie,” His mom gasps, and Richie can feel his breath hitch at her voice. He snaps his head up to the door, seeing his mom standing in the door opening, looking worse than he had ever seen her. Her hair was undone, outfit hastily put together and without any makeup on like she couldn’t be bothered.
There was a moment of silence, and Richie could barely register his dad walking in as well before his mom moved. Richie flinched instantly, folding into himself and letting out a soft whimper.
“Richie..-” Maggie whispers at his reaction, she seemed hurt, shocked at his reaction. “Richie are you… okay?” She barely manages to push past her throat, and even his dad seems shocked.
“You have no right Margaret, where have you been these last few weeks when you son was missing?” Andrea hisses, true anger in her voice. She moves slightly, as if she was shielding Richie from his own parents. “Or better yet, where were you these last 13 years?” She adds and Richie swallows thickly.
His stomach turns at the look on his mom’s face. Because it was the most emotion he had ever seen on her face, at least, emotion that was directly directed at him. He had even spend a good amount of months just trying to be a loud as possible, to try and make her angry at him.
He would take anything over the dead silence he received. But even numerous detentions, dropping grades and him literally breaking stuff in the house wouldn’t make them care. They never cared, they never gave a shit about him or anything but each other, and they left as soon as possible.
But now there was genuine worry on her face, tears brimming in her eyes.
Richie hesitantly squeezes Andrea’s hand, and she looks at him. “Let her talk,” He whispers, looking into her eyes. Andrea’s face twists, but Richie spoke before she could. “Please?” He asks, and Andrea eventually sighs, nodding.
“Do you want me to stay?” She asks, tugging a strand of hair behind his ear. For a moment Richie looks past her, seeing the worried faces of his parents there, and it seemed to be the only thing he could focus on. The worry that he had fought for for years now, without any success ever.
“Give us a few minutes?” He asks, and Andrea smiles silently, nodding. She stood up, quickly planting a kiss on her head before walking over to Maggie. She glared down at her, despite being roughly the same height. She didn’t speak, but the message was clear, and Andrea brushed past Maggie before she could speak.
Richie was left with his parents, and he squirmed slightly at the attention that they were giving him. Maggie was visibly scared, but she was the first one to step forwards, slowly to give Richie an option to tell her to stop. He didn’t, watching her warily as she sat down on the chair next to him.
He was sitting on the bed, on top of the covers and still wearing the hospital gown and pants. The IV was still in his arm, and he knew he looked horrible, and that it shocked his parents.
“Are you okay?” She asks again, but no matter how much he had craved for some sort of attention, right now he could only feel anger. He frowns.
“Why did you leave me?” He asks bitterly, and Maggie seems to recoil at that, looking down in shame. There was a moment of silence, and Richie was sure that this was it, that this was the moment she would reveal that she actually didn’t care.
“I have no idea Richie, I swear I have no idea,” She croaks, lifting her head to show thick tears rolling down her face. She looked absolutely broken, guilt consuming her. “I-...I know it’s not an excuse, and I know we were horrible to you but I genuinely have no clue why we did that. It was… it was like.. I wasn’t myself for a very long time since…”
Richie continues to frown, blinking a couple of times. He had no idea how to feel, what to believe or how to react. He didn’t know if his mom was being genuine or if she was just putting up a good front. Because that’s the only time she seemed to care about it, when it directly impacted her.
Maybe they made her do this, or maybe she benefitted from pretending?
“Since what?” Richie asks, wincing at the sharp tone he was using. Maggie sniffles, and Wentworth walks up to her, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder. Maggie immediately grasps it, not turning around. She took a hesitant breath.
“Since my little sister died.” She explains, and Richie can feel anger boil in his stomach.
“That is your excuse?” He hisses, and Maggie’s eyes widen in fear.
“No, no it’s not baby, I’m just… I don’t understand this at all, but I know it started when she died.. “ She stops for a moment, thinking. “It was 1962, the year of the Cuba crisis, 26 years ago I think?”
“27 years.” Wentworth corrects her and that… that seemed to explain everything all at once. Richie’s head spins, and his eyes widen.
“27 years ago?” Richie whimpers, and Maggie nods solemnly.
“She went missing in April, I was 16 at the time. They never found her body, and many others went missing.” She explains, which only makes it worse. It was Pennywise, there was no doubt in Richie’s mind. “After that it’s all a haze, which only got worse when you were born. I… didn’t care at all.”
“What did I do wrong?” Richie croaks, head still swirling at the new information. Maggie’s eyes widen.
“No no no, you didn’t do anything wrong baby, that’s… that’s the problem,” Maggie exclaims, looking at Went. “We both have no idea what happened, we were there but it was like… it wasn’t us. We didn’t care about you Richie when we really did. I know it makes no sense but it’s the truth, I swear it is.”
Richie could only stare, swallowing thickly. It was so easy to believe his mom was speaking the truth, so easy to pretend it was all okay and forget this ever happened, but Richie couldn’t. He couldn’t just forget, he couldn’t just believe.
“There was just this numbness when we were in Derry, and it only went away when we went on our trips, but we also forgot you when we were outside of Derry,” Maggie continues in a whisper, and tears jumped in her eyes. ”We forgot you, what kind of mother am I to forget my own child?!” She cries, burying her face in her hands.
She cried loudly, and Wentworth quickly wraps his arms around her, holding her close. Richie watched silently, almost awkwardly. These were strangers to him, they weren’t his parents really, just strangers. Maggie sniffles, forcing herself to stop crying.
She furiously wipes at her eyes. “W-We were on that cruise and then one day this… something just changed. We were drinking and then I just started crying,” Maggie continues, hiccupping and sobbing in between. “I f-forgot about my little sister but I suddenly remembered all of it, I remembered the good moments but also what I felt when she went missing-” Maggie hiccups again, sentence cutting off.
“How long ago?” Richie asks, because he had to know.
Both his parents frown for a few seconds, thinking. “10 days.” Went eventually answers, and that was the last straw, that cemented his belief. It matched perfectly with when the rest of the Losers defeated Pennywise, the moment the curse he had over the town had vanished instantly.
When parents and adults started to care all of a sudden, police doing their job, parents mourning their children, caring for them. Bill’s parents started to care again, and now… if his mom was telling the truth… then the curse Pennywise had over this town had vanished from his parents as well.
Tears jumped in his eyes at the thought… the thought that his parents behaviour… He couldn’t even finish his own thought. Couldn’t get his hope up.
“I spend two days mourning my little sister, we didn’t even get off the cruise when it stopped somewhere. Three days after that started we both started worrying about you. It was so overwhelming and we needed to go home immediately, but we had no way of getting off that boat, and they certainly wouldn’t change course for us.”
“We had no proof something was wrong, or any reason to suspect it, so they refused.” Wentworth adds with a soft voice, wiping a stray tear from his eyes. “So we were stuck on the boat for days before we got off the boat. We left immediately but now we were stuck on an island.”
Maggie takes a shuddering breath, grasping the hand on her shoulder tighter. Richie could barely see it though, tears filling his eyes. He had no idea how to feel. Relief felt wrong, hatred felt wrong, all emotions felt wrong so he refused to feel anything.
“We had to take three different flights to get home, and get a car to drive us the rest of the way, we just got to Derry when we found out you weren’t there,” Maggie finishes the story with tears streaming down her face, and she desperately tries to stifle the sobs with her hand, pushing them back.
But they told him enough to understand.
Tears started dripping down his face, and he buries his hands in his hair. It was all Pennywise, and he hated how that stupid clown had such a hold over the town. That this clown had terrorised him and his friends for months on end, killed his best friend’s little brother brutally.
He probably also got a hold of his friend’s parents, but he had no idea. Bev’s dad, maybe even the people who started the fire that killed Mike’s parents… it was all on the table. He was probably the reason why Bill’s parents seemed to completely shut down when Georgie was killed. It certainly would explain why they now cared again.
And now Pennywise was the reason his parents neglected him.
“Baby… talk to us…” Maggie whimpers, but Richie shakes his head.
“Don’t call me that, please.” Richie mutters, wiping at his tears. “I need time to think.” He continues, and he was too cowardly to look at his parents’ faces. Maggie only sobbed louder at that, and he could hear the sound of a chair scraping along the floor, his mom standing up no doubt.
“I told you he wouldn’t believe us.” His mom sobbed, and Richie hesitantly looks up with teary eyes. HIs mom’s face was buried in his dad’s chest, the latter holding her tightly.
“I do believe you mom,” Richie whispers, causing his dad to look up. His mom sniffles, and for a moment she too is frozen, too frozen to move. But she slowly lifts her head, staring at him with teary eyes.
“You do?” She whispers, clear shock written on her face.
“I-.... I need time.” Richie mutters, hiding his face in his hands again. His parents stare at him for a moment, almost unsure of what to do. Wentworth was the first to move, taking a few hesitant steps backwards before turning around and walking to the door.
“He needs help.” Went says softly, looking at Andrea. The woman was immediately brushing past the man, walking over to him. Richie immediately latched onto Andrea, hiding his face in the embrace and just allowing himself to cry.
He could vaguely hear his parents leave the room, and he wanted to stop them, wanted to reach out for them when they were willingly reaching out to him for the first time in 13 months, but he was too confused to make himself stop crying.
And too upset to actually stop crying in the first place.
*
*
*
“Do you remember-“ Eddie starts softly, not looking at Richie. “Do you remember yesterday when you came down with those sandwiches?” Eddie asks, gnawing at his lip. They were both sitting on top of the bed, facing each other with legs crossed under them.
Eddie was fiddling with his cast slightly, unable to look at Richie.
“I remember everything Ed’s,” Richie whispers and for once Eddie didn’t comment in the nickname. “It wasn’t true you know? None of it was. You guys are the best, I could never resent you.” Richie almost pleaded and Eddie finally looks up, seeing pure panic in Richie’s eyes.
“I know Rich, none of us believes that that was really you. We figured it out almost immediately,” Eddie quickly rushes out, trying to calm Richie down, but there was no calming down his own nerves. “Do you remember when I reached out for you?”
Eddie finally dares to ask and he knows Richie understood what he was asking him. The boy instantly froze, a dark look clouding his face and he turned away. For a moment Richie didn’t speak, which was unnerving enough especially since he was slowly opening up again ever since he woke up yesterday.
“You can go if you want.” Richie mumbles, and Eddie startles at that.
“Richie-“
The boy was shaking now, tears forming in his eyes.
“No Eddie it’s okay, but just go, please.” Richie pleads, trying time shuffle away from Eddie. He was disgusting, Eddie wouldn’t want to be near him now he knew that. And for a moment he had forgotten, with all the shit that went down he had almost forgotten Daniel made him out himself.
“Richie stop,” Eddie hisses, reaching out for Richie’s wrist. Richie eyes widened, opening his mouth. “I don’t care that you like boys, I like them too.”
“It’s not the same Eddie, I don’t like boys that way, I want… I want them to kiss me, not like friends.”
Eddie frowns, sometimes he could be so baffled at how smart Richie was but he a complete dumbass all the same. “I do too Rich,” Eddie presses, sighing as Richie looks at him with a confused expression. “I’m gay too.” Eddie says, a little more towards a whisper.
“Oh,” Richie breathes out, mouth still open.
“Which means I would never hate you for being gay as well, I don’t care, and neither do Bill and Stan.”
“You told them?” Richie breathes out, still wary. Eddie sighs, nodding his head.
“When you left us Bill blamed himself for not telling you it’s okay, that they don’t care about your sexuality. I started crying because I had the same fear as you, but they just told me they didn’t care about your sexuality, so I got brave I guess and told them mine.” Eddie tells, and Richie chuckles dryly.
“You’ve always been brave Eds.” Richie says, and Eddie snorts, shaking his head but not commenting on it.
There was a short but comfortable silence, until Richie shyly looks up to Eddie.
“Hey Eds?” He starts, and Eddie looks up with a soft expression. “I don’t think I’m gay.” Richie says, and Eddie can feel his stomach flip. Did he interpret it wrong? Did he just out himself to his best friend who wasn’t even gay?
“What do you mean you’re not gay?” Eddie asks, a bit sharply and he winces at his own tone. “Sorry I didn’t mean it that way, I just don’t understand.” Eddie immediately apologises, but Richie chuckles softly.
“I know,” He assured him, looking down. “I do like boys, I mean there was Connor in the arcade before … everything. And Timothy last year I guess. But… also Morgan during that summer camp last year.” Eddie frowns slightly, trying to wrack his brain if he knew anyone named Morgan in that camp.
“What’s so important about him?” Eddie asks, but Eddie realises the mistake seconds after asking the question.
“It’s wasn’t a ‘him’, Eds.” Richie shook his head, and Eddie’s eyes widened at the realisation.
“It was that brunette with the big-“ Eddie says, cupping his chest and Richie can’t help it, he throws his head back and laughs.
“You know an awful lot about her boobs for a gay man,” Richie chuckles and Eddie scowls, throwing a ball of aluminium foil at him, hitting Richie’s shoulder.
“Everyone was talking about those!” Eddie tries to defend himself, still scowling.
“Well yeah, and I was looking I guess.” Richie says, shrugging.
“Okay so you like both?” Eddie asks, and Richie shrugs again.
“I mean I don’t think that’s possible-“
“Why not?” Eddie interrupts him. “If you can like boys, why not girls as well? Who’s stopping you?”
Richie was silent again, deep in thought. “I guess no one.” Richie mumbles and Eddie nods.
“Exactly, so who the fuck cares if you like both?” Eddie snaps and Richie chuckles again.
“At least that’s means I don’t have to break up with your mom, phew.” Richie mocks sailing some sweat off his brow, and Eddie scowls again.
“Shut the fuck up Trashmouth.” Eddie deadpans, causing Richie to laugh loudly again, which, despite Eddies annoyance, sounded heavenly.
And he desperately tries to keep himself from showing a smile. He felt so happy seeing Richie laugh so openly again, and knowing that Richie didn’t hate him for being gay, and that Richie knew he wouldn’t either.
Eddie knew it was too soon to tell, but he had hope Richie would be okay.
*
*
*
One month later.
“Richie-” Andrea shakes Richie gently, a small smile on her face. Richie stirs, blinking up at her. “Your mom’s here.” She adds, and Richie groans slightly at that, wanting to just roll around and go to sleep again. But he eventually rubs the sleep from his eyes, sitting up almost warily.
He looks around the room for a moment, seeing that all the Losers were gone already, which didn’t surprise him. It was Friday morning, and they all had school. They usually had a sleepover on Thursday, being closer than ever. But unlike Richie, the Losers had to go to school on Friday.
The ticking of the clock was persistent, and for a moment all Richie could focus on was that ticking, making sure that time was still passing, until Andrea spoke.
“I made breakfast downstairs, and your bag is downstairs as well.” She says, and Richie smiles up at her, nodding. Andrea wasn’t surprised at the silence, at first she used to be but not anymore. Especially when he got into these moods he wouldn’t be too keen on talking too much when it wasn’t necessary.
She understood he was grateful. So she smiles back at him, kissing the top of his head quickly before leaving the room. Richie quickly rolled out of bed and getting ready. He showered, took his meds and brushed his teeth before walking downstairs.
“Morning mom.” Richie greets his mom, who was sitting on the barstool in the kitchen, sipping a cup of coffee with his packed bag next to her on the ground.
“Morning sweetie.” She greets, smiling at seeing her son. “Sleep well?” She asks, but Richie just shrugs, gratefully accepting breakfast from Andrea. He was still building up his appetite, and trying to get back on a normal healthy weight, but breakfast was always the hardest meal for him.
So it wasn’t anything more than yoghurt with loads of different fruits, the only thing Richie seems to be able to stomach.
“Are you still okay with this?” Andrea asks as he dutifully eats the breakfast. Richie looks down for a moment, before looking at Maggie. But the woman was looking back at him with a sly smile, showing him that it was okay, that he could choose. A look that held so much love for him, that it almost made him tear up again.
“I’ll be okay, thanks.” Richie says, which resulted in obvious relief to cross Maggie’s features. Richie eventually finishes his breakfast, and before he knew it the bag was in the trunk of the car and he was sitting next to his mom in the car.
“So I was thinking, since it’s still summer, we could get some ice cream if you want,” His mom suggests, and Richie feels a grin pulling at the corners of his mouth.
“Splendid idea govena’!” Richie cheers, and Maggie chuckles at the accent. She glances at him for a moment, reaching out with one hand and putting it on Richie’s.
“Your father used to make those voices all the time when we were younger as well,” She murmurs, a content smile on her face. Richie watches her with curiosity.
“He did?”
“All the time, it was so ridiculous. One time he got detention at school, and he used that god awful Irish accent of his and got another detention not seconds later.” Maggie chuckles and Richie grins, because that sounded like something he would do as well.
“Does he still do them?” Richie asks, pushing down the little sadness he felt at the implication. That he might have but he had simply never heard it. Maggie seems to sense it, squeezing his hand softly.
“He used to do them all the time when we were away,” Maggie says, regret too clear. She sighs, swallowing thickly but shaking her head. “I keep telling him they’re horrible but he knows I secretly love them.” Richie grins at that, thinking of every time Eddie had insisted that he hated Richie’s voices.
Sure they would get them in trouble, but he could see how it made him smile all the same.
Maggie slowed down the car, driving into the parking spot and shutting off the car. Richie left the bag he packed with him in the car as he got out, he didn’t need it after all. This weekend would be the first day that Richie slept in his own home since he got taken all those weeks ago really.
After the hospital he had gotten home with Stan and his family, and used their guest room ever since. He knew his parents weren’t to blame for their behaviour, and that it was all Pennywise, but it wasn't particularly easy to mend a relationship that had never truly existed in the first place.
So instead Richie stayed with Stan temporarily, and his parents visited every other day, or they went out if Richie was feeling up to it, which wasn’t a lot at first. There would be many days where he would be too paranoid, too tired or just numb to the world to go anywhere or do anything.
But it never mattered to his parents, and instead they would just spend the days together. Watch a movie, or be there as he lay on the couch, too drained to move. And Richie found himself curling up on his mother’s side after two weeks already. She was incredibly patient with him, and truly made an effort.
She was there when he finally learned that Bree, the nurse that had been with him for a few days was okay, and when she visited him a week and a half back. They hadn’t gotten too close but they obviously shared trauma, and Richie needed to see her to try and put that behind him.
They still kept in contact every now and then, with Bree finally being able to show her kids to Richie. They mostly called, but sometimes she visited, just to drink something together, and to chat a bit.
“Have I told you how we met?” Maggie asks, walking out of the ice cream shop with two ice creams in their hands. She had of course caved when Richie got indecisive and wanted three different flavours. Not like it was really caving when she was ready to give into every request Richie had.
Richie glances up, and he understood that it wasn’t really a genuine question, because they both knew she had not. She had never spoken to him about anything in their lives, so Richie shook his head. Maggie could see his eyes darting a little bit, still paranoid.
Maggie smiles slightly at the memory. “”Honestly he was a menace when I met him in high school. I had seen him around school a couple of times, and I remember hating his guts since he always disrupted class. Then one day I was walking in the hallway and someone in front of me spilled something, so I stopped abruptly.” Maggie explains.
Richie is silent as they continue to walk over to a quiet spot, sitting down on the grass and licking at the ice cream.
“He crashed right into me from behind, which caused me to fall in that same puddle, I don’t think I’ve ever been so mad at someone before,” She chuckles to herself, and Richie can’t help but grin as well. “It’s a surprise your father even dared to go out with me after I cussed him out like I did.”
“You did?” Richie asks, squirming slightly as someone passed them a little too closely.
“You got that motormouth from somewhere,” Maggie smiles, reaching out for his hand after sensing his discomfort. But the person walking past them didn’t even notice them, or Richie’s discomfort. It was a wonder he was out here really, in the first week he absolutely refused to trust anyone who he hadn’t been with for over 12 hours.
It was only after that week that Richie started to trust people a bit more, but he was still wary around strangers.
“Well thanks for that.” Richie rolls his eyes, and Maggie snickers, pushing the ice cream in Richie’s face. Richie cries out, laughing as he swipes at the ice cream. Maggie retreats, laughing loudly at the ice cream sticking to Richie’s face. The boy wipes the ice cream of his face, licking it away just as quickly.
Maggie smiles softly, reaching out and tugging some hair behind Richie’s ear. Richie stays still, looking at his mom. Not out of any biological obligation, but because the touch felt right, comforting.
“I love you so much baby, and I don’t think I can ever forgive myself for these last 13 years,” she murmurs, and Richie swallows. “And I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness, maybe ever, but I’m so glad you decided to give us a chance.”
“It wasn’t your fault-“ Richie croaks, and Maggie smiles, a sad smile now.
“It is Richie, it should’ve never happened and I don’t want you to forgive us for something like that so quickly,” Maggie shakes her head. “I want to earn it, but I could never do that so soon, even if this clown was the reason we failed you.”
Richie stares at her with tears brimming in his eyes, feeling overwhelmed with both love and sadness. All the Losers had told their parents or family about the clown, except for Eddie. Sonia would probably flip and kidnap Eddie again.
The hospital has somehow snapped and reported Sonia to the CPS, and Eddie got taken away from her the next day. It took Bev’s aunt one glance before she practically carried Eddie over to her home. Sonia was serving jail time for the abuse of her son, awaiting a trial with severe charges. And authorities were sure she’d get at least a couple of years, enough until Eddie turned 18.
But they all agreed that Eddie should not be taken away from Derry and his friends, it was still weird to have the town care so much. Officer Nell especially wouldn’t even consider it.
So Sonia didn’t know about Pennywise, unlike the rest of them. They didn’t fully believe the story but after everything that had happened, they believed it enough to just accept it, even if they were still a bit wary.
“I love you mom.” Richie whispers, which causes tears to jump in Maggie’s eyes.
“I love you too baby.” Maggie murmurs, almost hesitantly reaching forwards but Richie wasn’t having it, launching himself in his mom’s arms. Maggie chokes out a sob, wrapping her arms around Richie and crushing him to his chest.
“So so much Richie.” She mutters, kissing the top of his head. Richie just smiles through the tears.
After pulling out of the hug, they chatted some more in the park until it was time to get going. Friday was one of the days Richie had to go to therapy, which was partially the reason why he didn’t have to go to school that day. Not like Richie really needed to go to school to keep his grades up in the first place.
But the doctors didn’t think it was a good idea for him to be held back a year, so his and Stan’s parents had talked with the school to make arrangements.
At first he didn’t go at all, too freaked out with all the people around him. As weeks progressed he started going to school more and more, first to essential classes only, and then to the rest as well. He was now at the point where he was slowly joining elective, and ‘fun’ classes as well.
He had especially taken a liking to music.
But he still skipped a lot of school, and he skipped Friday altogether. After going to school 4 days already he couldn’t find himself to put up with it anymore, and the last time they tried it resulted in a full blown panic attack after the first period when he had to wurm his way through the mass of students.
Instead he would usually spend the day with his parents, who would take him to therapy in the afternoon. But today would be the first time he slept over at his parents’ home.
*
“Hey guys, come in,” Maggie smiles as she opens the door, seeing the Losers all standing there.
“How is he?” Eddie was the first one to ask, schoolbag still on his back, and it was all too clear that they had all come from school straight away, like Donald has told they would. Maggie could see he had grown a little bit as well, cast that she grew used to seeing now removed already.
“Not as bad as other days, but he’s not coming out today,” Maggie tells him, letting the rest of the Losers in. They understood what the phrase meant. Some therapy sessions left him too drained to even bear too much company, other times he would be good to go outside with his friends. Today was in between, not feeling up to going outside but able to handle the company nevertheless.
Maggie gently reaches out for Stan, causing him to stop. Maggie shuts the door behind them, watching as the rest made their way over to the living room where Richie was sitting on the couch.
“How are you doing Stan?” She asks softly, eyes roaming up and down. She could vaguely see the bandages peeking out from under his shirt, and the way he still seemed way too frail for Maggie’s comfort.
“I’m okay, getting better,” Stan answers with a soft smile. It was often so easy to forget that Stan was also hurt by the whole situation, that he hadn’t been ripped away from his home, controlled for days and stabbed in the chest, a stab that almost killed him. He had nightmares just like Richie had.
He went to therapy just like Richie did, but it was almost overshadowed by the fact that Richie had been there longer, had been kidnapped alone for a long time. But she knew she had been too focused on Richie to truly notice how Stan was doing, which the boy didn’t deserve.
“I’m glad,” Maggie smiles softly, grabbing his chin for a moment. “If you need anything, just let me know.” She finishes, and Stan smiles up to her, nodding.
“Thanks, Mrs, Tozier.” She says, and Maggie chuckles, ruffling his curly hair without thinking about it.
“Just Maggie dear.” She says, winking at him before walking over to the kitchen. She could see Stan walking over to the living room, sitting down next to Richie on the couch and taking the blanket that he had wrapped around himself. Stan wrapped it around his own body as well, sitting side to side.
Maggie smiles at the display, if anything positive had some from it, it was the undeniable bond Richie and Stan had. They always had a special bond, but now they were tighter than ever, and it was showing at how they were able to confide in each other. The rest of the Losers were scattered around the living room as well.
And just being together, bickering loudly, including Stan and Richie.
Richie was still a lot more subdued than before the whole ordeal in the summer. And perhaps Maggie’s biggest regret was not getting to know who Richie was before, but only able to chase after what was.
It took a lot of adjusting as well, not just because they now suddenly started looking after Richie. They had ticking clocks in every room, which Richie almost needed to calm down. Went had made a watch for him that ticked audibly so he always had something with him to remind him that time was continuing.
There was also a strong change in their diets, since Richie was still slowly building up his appetite. He was eating again, but couldn’t stomach too much at once. Ice cream was something that fared well, but anything like fast food still wouldn’t stay down so they stopped trying to give it. Though ice cream had little nutritional value.
Instead he ate a lot of small meals throughout the day, and not just breakfast, lunch and dinner. Maggie sighed softly, grabbing a bowl and filling it with plain Greek yoghurt, adding fresh fruits and a little bit of cinnamon, the way Richie liked it. And something that would also delay ‘bloating’ and increase appetite.
She grabs the bowl, walking back to Richie.
“Here,” She says, handing him the bowl. Richie smiles at her.
“Why thank ya.” Richie grins, tipping an imaginary head and accepting the bowl. Maggie could see the reluctance in his eyes, but he dug in nevertheless. He knew that he had to finish it, and it had always been the same for the past few weeks, which his parents knew of course.
And it was easier for him to eat when he had a distraction, and the Losers sure were a good one.
“I’m going to the grocery store to get some food, are you all staying for dinner?” Maggie asks, causing the rest of the Losers to look up as well. Maggie regretted that she didn’t know the Losers as well as she should have. Bev, Ben and Mike could be excused but not Eddie, Bill and Stan.
They have been friends with her son for almost 10 years, she should know them like her own son.
Which, she kind of did in a cruel way. She knew them all too little.
“If that’s okay with you, Mrs. Tozier.” Ben spoke up, and Maggie chuckles at the polite tone, shaking her head.
“Of course it is, I was thinking about making a couscous salad with some courgette soup,” She mentions. “Do any of you have allergies?”
Eddie of course had a long list of allergies, which Richie quickly shot down by pointing out he had eaten all of those things in the past just fine, with the exception of dairy.
It didn’t take long to get the groceries, but it was more than usual to accommodate for the Losers.
“Do you need help?” Richie asks softly, shuffling into the kitchen as she was roughly chopping the courgettes in pieces and throwing them into a big pan along with the onion and garlic. Maggie smiles at that, nodding.
“Can you cook?” She teases, and Richie rolls his eyes, a smile tucking on his lips.
“Can you measure 650 gram couscous for me, and boil 30 ounces of water?” She asks, gesturing vaguely to the packs of couscous on the countertop. Richie nods, setting to work.
“What are you making?” Richie asks softly as he puts on the water so it could boil. His mom was adding water to the pan, throwing in three stock cubes and some thyme as well.
“I’m making soup.” She says, laughing at the confused expression on Richie’s face. “We’ll still have to blend everything together.” She explains, and Richie’s expression morphs to a more understanding one. Once the soup was left on the stove, Maggie turned to help Richie with the couscous salad.
They put it in a pan, and added the measured boiling water and some olive oil before putting on the lid to let it steam for 5 minutes off the heat. Richie was smiling the entire time, feeling his heart swell as his mom showed him how to cut the avocado, to add more calories to the dish for him.
She showed him how to cut the tomatoes into little pieces, grate a the lemon zest and chop the spring onion. Things she had never done before like a mother *should* have.
“You know my little sister absolutely hated these,” Maggie mentions as she opens the package of green soybeans.
“Why?” Richie asks, a little hesitant. It was clear his mom was still feeling the loss of her little sister, now she was finally able to mourn her, but Maggie just chuckles.
“Because I added them in the salad when it wasn’t in the recipe, so she pretended to hate them even if she would eat them in any other dish our mom cooked.” Maggie laughs, handing him the package to try. Richie picks out a handful, trying one.
“They’re good.” He shrugs, and Maggie beams as Richie chews on some more, happy to see him eat on his own accord.
“I know right! I knew I gave you the good genes.” She laughs.
“That’s not true, that's all on me.” A new voice enters, and Richie grins brightly as Wentworth walks in.
“You wish, I would’ve burned down the house years ago if I inherited your cooking skills dad.” Richie teases, throwing one of the soybeans at his him. Maggie didn’t have the heart to scowl at him for doing so, too focused on the fact that he was openly joking and calling him ‘dad’ in front of them.
“Well you certainly got my attitude,” Wentworth chuckles, pulling Richie into a quick hug before turning to the stove. “It smells amazing though.”
“Thanks, what about the food?” Richie deadpans, and Wentworth chuckles at that.
“You certainly inherited my terrible jokes.” He murmurs, and Maggie smiles.
“So you finally admit they’re bad?” Maggie fake gasps, putting a hand on her heart and turning to Richie. “That took me years to get that out of him.”
Richie smiles brightly as his parents lightly bicker, until eventually the timer rang signalling that the soup was ready to be blended, and Went excused himself to fresh up before dinner.
“This is the best part of the process.” Maggie winks, handing him the handheld blender, and putting it in the pan that was still filled with a lot of water with stock cubes, boiled courgettes, onions and garlic. Richie turns on the blender, and it whirls to life, crushing all the pieces to bits and quickly turning it into soup.
Once that was done they grabbed a big bowl to mix the couscous salad in, putting in the couscous that was now done steaming, along with the tomatoes, spring onion, avocados, green soy beans, the zest of the lemon with the goat cheese with honey flavour on the side for Eddie.
Ben and Mike, the sweethearts, had in the meantime set the table for all of them, barely all fitting around the table, but it didn’t really matter.
There were bowls, plates, glasses and cutlery on the table and all the Losers were crowding around as Maggie put the pan of soup on the table, walking back to the kitchen as Richie was cutting the lemon in half to finish of the couscous salad, Maggie grins, taking the lemon from Richie’s hands.
“Easy peasy-” Maggie says, squeezing the lemon out above the salad “Lemon squeezy.”
The laugh she got in return was totally worth the slap on her arm.