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Richie lazily swung himself on the hammock with his foot, laying back contentedly as he admired the boy across from him. Eddie, of course. Eddie. The boy he'd had a crush on for years, since before he even knew what a crush was.
Eddie looked up, meeting his stare. Richie should've been embarrassed to be caught, but he wasn't. He just held his gaze, looking at him adoringly. Eddie smiled, silent, and flipped himself over to Richie's end of the hammock, his and Richie's hands brushing together as he did so. Richie watched him curiously as he laid back down, making himself comfortable. He felt his chest bubble up with happiness when Eddie laid his head down on Richie's chest, not a hint of hesitance, no pushing or bickering. They were still silent. Both of them wanted the contact.
Eddie was warm. So, so warm. Richie let himself enjoy the moment, eyes fixated on the freckled boy on top of him as he ran his hand through his hair, his other hand wrapping tightly around him. Eddie looked up, eyes meeting Richie's, and–for a moment–Richie felt like he couldn't breath. He loved this. He loved Eddie. He couldn't help the smile that tugged on his lips. Eddie smiled too, leaning his head back down into Richie.
Richie's brain was filled with one thing, repeating itself over and over in his head. He struggles to keep it there--but it was almost as if he had no control over himself.
"I love you, Eds."
The words spilled passed his lips, and Richie felt ready to get up and bolt--if his body would allow it. But it didn't. So he stayed there, frozen in place. He expected Eddie to freak out, pull away from him, hit Richie–something–but that never came. Instead, Eddie leaned himself further into Richie, sighing contentedly. The other boy was completely calm and relaxed, as if Richie saying that was normal. Like he'd said it a million times before. Did Richie miss something? Were they already going out, and he'd just forgotten it?
"I love you too, Rich." Eddie paused--"Even when you call me Eds." He added playfully, lips formed in a smirk.
Richie looked down at him. He should be freaking out right now, he should be stumbling over his words or–or something–but he doesn't. He's weirdly calm about this. Calm, but happy.
"You know you like it when I call you Eds."
Eddie hummed, eyes closed. "Okay, yeah... Maybe I do."
Oh, Richie was so gone.
"Eds, Eds, Eds," he chanted, leaning down and planting a kiss on the other boy's forehead. Eddie giggled, and fuck, Richie loved that sound. He loved Eddie.
"Richie…" Eddie hummed softly.
"Yeah?"
"Richie, Richie, Rich…"
Richie chuckled, "Eddie, Eddie, Eds."
"Richie… Richie… Richie!"
Richie's eyes flung open, vision blurred by sleep–made worse by the fact he didn't have his glasses--as he searched his surroundings, trying to figure out where he was. And why he wasn't in the hammock with Eddie.
"Mmh…" Richie groaned, feeling around for his glasses only for them to be slid on his face by someone else. He looked up groggily at the person looming above him, face scrunched up in confusion.
"Richie, are you feeling okay? You were saying my name in your sleep." Eddie spoke in a low whisper, lying down next to him. It was dark out, Richie realized. The only light came from the window, the street lamps outside giving him just enough light to see his surroundings. Richie was on his bed, Eddie right next to him. On the floor, there were various sleeping bags–all occupied by different bodies--except for one.
Right.
Richie was having a sleepover with all the Losers.
Eddie was one of those Losers.
Eddie was in bed with him, for some reason, under the covers like he'd been sleeping there instead of the sleeping bag he'd brought with him.
"'m okay…" Richie slurred sleepily in response, rubbing his eyes underneath his glasses. "Was just having a dream, 's all."
Eddie furrowed his brows, frowning. "I guessed so. Was it a nightmare? Why were you calling my name?"
"Oh, y'know. Jus' dreaming 'bout what you'd be like in bed." Richie grinned, yawning. Eddie blushed furiously, visible even in the dim light. Richie wanted to tease him for it, he really did, but it was just too late. He was tired.
"Oh, shut it, Richie. I was actually worried." Eddie huffed, voice still low.
"Mhmm… I was just dreaming about us hangin' out, pissing you off."
"You dreamt about me?"
"I thought you guessed that by me saying your name in my sleep." Richie stretched out, laughing quietly. "The other Losers were there too, not just you."
"Oh."
Richie stared at him curiously for a moment, quiet for a record amount of time. He was a little less talkative when he was half asleep.
"Why are you in my bed?" Richie finally asked, fully adjusting his body to face the other boy.
"Er," Eddie hesitated. "The floor is uncomfortable."
"Uh-huh..." Richie cocked an brow, giving him a knowing look. That wasn't exactly a lie, but Richie knew Eddie was holding something back. Even in a sleepy haze, Richie just knew Eddie.
Eddie frowned, hesitating, before letting out a sigh. He looked away from Richie, trying to hide embarrassment.
"I had a nightmare,” Eddie confessed, “about, you know… It.”
"And you didn’t want to sleep alone?” Eddie nodded in response. Richie yawned. “Why didn’t you just cuddle with Bill or something?”
”Do you mind?”
”Nope,” Richie responded, “just curious why I was your first choice. Thought I was ‘gross’.” He said teasingly, quoting something Eddie had said earlier in the night.
“You are gross, but you also…” Eddie trailed off.
”Hmm?” Richie urged. Eddie sighed.
”I feel safer by you, Richie. That’s all.” Eddie expected teasing or laughter, but that never came. Richie just took his glasses back off, reached over Eddie to set them on his bedside table, and opened his arms for Eddie when he laid back down, gesturing for him to scoot closer.
"C'mere then, 'sghetti. I'll be your teddy bear for tonight. No clown’s gonna get ya.”
Eddie looked at him hesitantly, before nodding silently and wrapping an arm around Richie and stuffing his face into his chest. Richie let out a soft hum as he wrapped his own arm around the other boy, holding him close.
If they weren't half asleep, they'd probably be freaking out.
Instead, though, they allowed themselves to sink into the contact, each falling asleep to the other's breathing.
It didn't take long for Richie to fall back asleep, dreams filled with Eddie. Eds, Eds, Eds.
The asthmatic boy woke up a couple of times to the sound of his name being whispered in his ear. But he couldn't really bring himself to care. He knew Richie wasn't having nightmares, and, well… The idea that he was dreaming about him made him feel funny. In a good way.
And, despite the disruptions, he felt like he slept better than he ever had before.