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Ever since the decision to move the club had been finalized, Eddie had seen a lot less of Richie. To be fair to his boyfriend, he was hard at work finalizing plans. He loved Richie and Richie loved him but part of Eddie wished that he could have Richie all to himself. Today was no different, especially as they were closing up the club for the night. Eddie had headed out to Richie’s car, prepared to leave within the next ten to fifteen minutes. Inside the club, Richie was finishing up some paperwork, just the other day he and Stan had bought the building that would hold their new club, and because of that Richie had to make sure everything was in order.
That night they planned to order in some food and cuddle before passing out, it was a normal routine that both loved dearly, which is why Eddie wanted to get things started.
When twenty minutes passed, Eddie started getting annoyed. He texted Richie a few times, trying to get Richie’s ass in gear.
E: Are you almost done?
E: I wanna go home and cuddle, I’m really tired Rich
R: yeah sorry!!! im just finishing everything up and ill be out in just a moment okay?
E: Alright alright
E: I might order some food to our apartment while I wait
R: sounds good babe!
Eddie let out a soft sigh, proud of his guy but becoming more and more irritable with every passing moment. It’s not that he was mad at Richie, no not at all. In fact he was so proud of how far Richie had come since they first met. Everything that Richie was doing was super important to so many people, so really, how could Eddie be mad at him for something like that?
Trying to distract himself as the minutes drag on, Eddie begins to scroll through the many food delivery apps on his phone, not quite sure what he wanted so instead just browsing at what was still open this time of night. There weren’t many options so the picking was slim, that wasn’t horrible though, it was pretty much the norm for him and Richie. Slowly he narrows it down to a few picks before switching back to his message app, about to text Richie to ask what he wanted when motion caught the corner of his eye.
Slowly Eddie looks up from his phone, frowning when a man walks up to the door of the club, opening it and walking in as if he knew what he was doing. As if he was supposed to be there. The sight makes Eddie uncomfortable, making him turn back to his screen, Richie’s name at the top of it.
E: Hey Rich?
E: Was someone supposed to come in tonight?
E: I just saw someone enter the club?
Eddie bites at his lip, craning his neck in order to try and see what was happening inside the club, unfortunately at this point all the lights were off, that along with the tinted windows made it impossible for Eddie to see him. Anxiously he looks back down to his phone, where Richie hadn’t even seen his message. His heart was starting to pound out of his chest, making him look anxiously between his phone and the doors of the club as he shot off a few more texts to get the other’s attention.
When none of his messages were answered or even seen, Eddie decides he can’t wait any longer, shoving the phone into his pocket and quickly hopping out of the car.
E: You know what?!
E: Fuck it!
E: I’m coming in!!
Without another thought Eddie burst in through the doors, his eyes scanned around the club, seeing the light on in Stan’s and Richie’s office. The club was quiet for the most part, the only noise coming from the office, where several men were talking. As Eddie crept towards the door the voices got a little louder, hearing several men talking in a very derogatory tone. He couldn’t hear what they were saying but just their tone made an angry pit form in his throat.
It’s the same tone that his school bullies had used on him when he was much younger. The one they used to call him gay slurs and wanted to make him feel disgusting and dirty. The thought made Eddie feel sick, angry, the memories upsetting him to the point where Eddie was gritting his teeth, his jaw aching. Once he gets close enough to actually hear them it doesn’t get any better.
“Tozier thinks he’s a big man, flirting with the bosses cousin, didn’t you learn your lesson last time you dumb fairy?”
“Yeah, you should have learned your lesson Tozier, I don’t play around.”
A loud skin punching skin sound rings out through the club, making Eddie see red. Suddenly realizing what was happening, Eddie wasn’t happy, and he wasn’t about to stand on the sidelines while these people messed with his boyfriend.
Creeping closer to the office Eddie is able to see five people surrounding Richie who’s on the floor. His glasses had been knocked off his face and blood was dripping down his nose. There was a dark bruise on his cheek and as he looked up at the men in front of him, tears of pain shined in his eyes but refused to fall.
“I already told you! I didn’t fuck Conner! He’s just upset that I won’t anymore!” Richie’s eyes fall towards a tall blond man, glaring harshly at him.
It’s then that Eddie realizes who these people are, and specifically, who the blond man was. It was Conner Bowers, the man who had mentally abused his love, who had sicked his cousin on Richie. The same cousin who then proceeded to break Richie’s nose.
It’s also then that Eddie realizes that he’s about to kick some ass.
E: Get ready to bail me out of jail. I’m about to beat the shit out of someone
With that last text sent, Eddie pockets his phone once more, before charging at the men. Letting out a loud scream once he gets close enough.
The men quickly turn towards Eddie, eyes wide as he launches himself at Conner, throwing himself onto the much taller man's back and beginning to punch and pull at his hair. Caught off guard the men turn away from Richie, rushing to Conner’s aid but unable to get very close due to the almost feral-like attacks that Eddie was doing, kicking and punching at Conner and at anyone who dared get too close to him.
Richie takes this as an opportunity to fight back as well, catching one of Bower’s goons, Patrick, by surprise by slamming a lamp that had been on his table against the back of the man's head. The man falls to the floor, gripping his head. Now realizing that they were under attack from both sides, the rest of the Bower’s gang attempted to fight back against the two.
They get in a few good shots on both, but with Eddie’s fury and Richie refusing to let them get away with throwing punches at his favorite guy, the two are able to chase the men out of the club.
Now, sitting down, their backs against the stage, Eddie holds a rag against Richie’s, now rebroken, nose. He pats gently, wiping away the blood from his love’s face as he holds Richie’s hand. Despite the damage to the club and themselves, both are smiling, holding each other gently. Eddie had just texted Stan, asking him to come to the club as quickly as he could. He had also called the police. He figured that nothing could come from this but it was worth a try.
“You okay?” Eddie finally asks as he wipes away some more blood from Richie’s face.
“Yeah, thanks for coming to my rescue.” The smirk that comes to Richie’s face is a beautiful one, even if there was a bit of blood on his teeth, it was a smile that made Eddie’s heart do flips and jumps and made him want to hug the other as close as possible and never let go.
“Of course…”
Slowly Eddie lays his head on Richie’s shoulder, sitting there in silence as they wait for Stanley to get there. His thoughts seemed to go everywhere, the club, what just happened, and Richie himself. Everything about Richie made him feel safe, from his large hands to the warmth that radiated off of him. They had talked about being married before, both agreeing that maybe they weren’t quite ready for it, yet here Eddie was, holding Richie’s hand tightly, his head on the other's shoulder, thinking about how much he wanted to spend the rest of his life with him.
“Hey Richie…”
“Yeah?”
“Will you marry me?”
Even though he knew the sort of reaction he was going to get from Richie, that doesn’t stop him from smiling like an idiot when he sees Richie almost fall over from shock. The gears in his head were loudly turning, blinking so many times that he almost looked like he was a malfunctioning robot. Then the realization hits him. His face went into a dark blush and his eyes widened under his aviator glasses. His mustache curled with his smile, turning towards Eddie, he laughs loudly, but not in a mean way, and not directed at Eddie. It was one of confused joy, one that made Eddie’s heart flutter even more.
“Yes… holy shit yes!”
With a wide grin and another laugh Richie pulls Eddie close, planting a kiss directly on the mans lips.