Eddie stood there in shock. He stepped away from Greta. "I...I'm sorry. We can't do this." He went to start running when Greta called for him. "Eddie! I think you dropped something!" She called picking up the tape. Eddie groaned and walked back. He grabbed the tape. He was confused until he saw Richie's name signed at the bottom. "Sorry again," Eddie said before running again.
He rode to his house as fast as he could completely avoiding the other Losers. He ran into his house and into his room. He slammed his door shut and screamed into a pillow. Why the fuck did he do that? He doesn't even like girls, to begin with. Maybe he just didn't want to accept it.
No one in Derry was accepting of people who were gay. Fuck, Richie got his nose basically punched off his face for being gay. He couldn't deal with that. Eddie is weak, his arms were sticks, all of his body has the appearance of a twig. He hated being hurt. He wasn't a loudmouth like Richie, he couldn't protect himself against anyone.
Eddie began crying. Richie probably hated him now, what the fuck is he supposed to do now? He probably just lost his best friend. Eddie sat up, taking his face out of the pillow. The tape fell out of his pocket. He picked it up, wiping tears off his face. He jumped out of bed to his tape player.
He put the tape in and let it play. The first song that played made Eddie shake his head. Leave it to Richie to put "I Want To Know What Love Is" on a tape for him. He let the song play and sat on his bed.
Next came on "(Everything I Do) I Do It For you" which made Eddie blush slightly. The next few songs went like;
Every Breath You Take, I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight, Gimmie! Gimmie! Gimmie! (A Man After Midnight), Forever Young, Heaven Is A Place On Earth, and Take Me Home Tonight.
When the songs all played through Eddie got up to flip the tape to the other side. Only one song played on that side, and it almost killed Eddie. The song that he could hear playing was a song he knew very well. It was Heaven. The very song that played at the school dance.
(Play Bryan Adams - Heaven)
Eddie ran downstairs to grab his shoes he took off when he got home. He ran back upstairs to grab his coat right when the message Richie recorded started playing.
"Hey Eds, Happy Valentine's day. I swore to myself I wouldn't do anything cheesy for you, but I couldn't help myself. I... uh, I really like you. I think you know that already but I had to remind you. I don't know exactly what we are but I hope it's something ya know? Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the music. The songs always make me think about you... or your mom."
He could hear Richie's muffled laughter, which made him smile. "You really think I could record this without making a mom joke? Anyway, assuming that today went well, happy Valentine's day Eddie Spaghetti."
Eddie switched the player off and shoved clothes into a bag and ran downstairs. Sonia stepped out into the hall. "And where are you off to in such a rush Eddie bear?" He pushed past her. "Not your business. I'll be back tomorrow." He ran out the door before she could protest. He hated her so much.
He petalled as fast as he could to Richie's house. It was getting late so he hoped he was still awake. He knocked on the door and stood there impatiently. Went was who opened the door. "Hi, can I come in? My mom said I could come over," Eddie said. "Of course, Richie's upstairs." "Thank you!" Eddie said running upstairs.
He didn't even knock before barging into Richie's room. Richie laid there facedown in his pillow, clearly crying. Eddie shut the door and locked it. He didn't want anyone to fucking come in this time. "R-Richie?" Eddie said nervously walking up to Richie. "What do you want? Don't you have Greta to kiss or something?" Richie said sitting up.
Eddie groaned and shook his head. "Well? You were sucking her face when I saw you. What happened to that Edward?" Richie said harshly. "I don't like her! I don't even like girls!" Eddie blurted out.
"Yeah? Then why'd you kiss her first? Why would you even kiss her?! She's a bitch Eddie!" Richie argued. "Because I'm scared okay? We live in Derry! I don't want my ass kicked! I already broke my arm! I can't handle that! Your nose literally got knocked out of place because you're gay," Eddie said frantically.
Richie shook his head. "You realize it's me right? I would beat the shit out of someone who tried to hurt you before they even got close to you," He said crossing his arms. "I don't want you hurt Rich, I hate seeing you in pain! Why would I want that?" Eddie said frustrated.
"You didn't seem to care when you fucking kissed her," Richie mumbled. Eddie had enough. "Richie fucking Tozier, I fucking like you, okay? I have liked you forever! Kissing her was a mistake! The only person I've ever wanted to kiss was you! If you accuse me of not liking you one more time I will strangle you! I hate germs, why would I let someone kiss me if I didn't like them? Why would I ride from my house to yours whenever you wanted if I didn't like you? Why would I let you touch me all the time and cuddle into you during movies if I didn't want you too, Richie?!"
Richie was shocked. He never him so angry before. "Eddie..." Richie started. He was cut off by Eddie pulling him off the bed. Richie knew he was going to try to kiss him, which Richie was not going to allow him to do it first. So he stopped him, by talking.
"Did you leave my tape on the floor at school or what?" Richie asked shaking his head. "I took it home. I listened to it... you put Heaven on it. I'm sorry for ruining today for you..." Eddie said looking at the floor. "You can make it up to me," Richie said raising an eyebrow. "How?" Eddie asked looking back up at Richie.
Richie smirked and picked Eddie up. He pushed Eddie against the wall and whispered in his ear. "I'll forgive ya if you be my boyfriend." Eddie felt his face burn as he started blushing. Eddie nodded, he tried to say it but he was speechless.
Richie kissed him. Eddie wrapped his arms around Richie's neck and his legs around his waist to pull him in closer. They were finally official.