Author's note: A super fluffy chapter before things start getting complicated for Richie. I wanted to have this chapter up last week, but chaos happened at work which cut into my writing time, but here it is finally! I hope you enjoy and I hope you're all still staying safe out there!

Brave
Part 2: California
Chapter 22 – Cotton Candy Kisses

The sun was just beginning to set in the sky as Richie's car finally entered Los Angeles County on Wednesday evening. Richie immediately reached over to lay a hand on Eddie's leg as he dozed in the passenger's seat, which he had been doing for the most of their trip. Eddie was a fucking heavy sleeper, Richie was coming to find out.

"Eds," Richie said gently, squeezing Eddie's knee to rouse him. "We're home."

Now that they were actually here, a small flutter flared to life in Richie's chest. As much as they had talked about this moment over the last couple months, it had still seemed so far away in Richie's mind. He couldn't believe it was finally happening, and he had an even harder time believing that his home was going to be Eddie's home as well.

Home. Their home.

Eddie stirred, once again swiping at the drool that had settled onto his chin before stretching. He yawned and rubbed at his eyes before stopping to look out the windshield at the setting sun before them.

"Not quite to my apartment yet," Richie said, "but we're in Los Angeles County. I thought you'd want to see some of it first. You've never been here before, have you?"

Eddie shook his head as his eyes darted around at the passing buildings, which were just beginning to light up as twilight was setting in.

"So," Richie said, as he continued to steer the car down the highway, "I know it's been a hell of a long drive. We're both tired, and I'm sure you're anxious to get settled in at home," and there was that word again, "but can I show you something first?" He glanced over at Eddie, his eyebrow raised in question.

Eddie hummed in response and nodded. "I'm the one who's been asleep for most of the trip, and you've been driving this whole time. If you're up for it, so am I."

"Okay," Richie said around a smile as he signaled to take the next turn.

"Are you telling me where we're going?" Eddie asked, taking the time to read the various street signs as they went.

"It's a surprise."

Eddie was left smiling and staring out his window. He had pressed his teeth over his lower lip, like he was trying not to smile too much and tip Richie off to the fact that he was excited as he was. At least, that was what Richie hoped he was feeling.

They drove in silence the rest of the way, but Richie's hand found its way to Eddie's thigh once again. This time, Eddie dropped his hand down on top of Richie's, letting their fingers entwine around each other tightly.

It wasn't long before Richie was pulling into a parking lot not far from the shore. The setting sun was reflecting off of the water in pinks and oranges, dissolving into a watercolor painting of colors. That, however, wasn't what had Eddie's attention. He was leaning forward and staring straight out the windshield at the thousands of twinkling lights in the distance.

"Is this…the Santa Monica Pier?" Eddie asked, glancing quickly at Richie before returning his gaze to the scene in front of him. He had started to smile again, his eyes sparkling as he watched the flickering lights before him.

Neon lights were streaming along the tracks of the rollercoaster as well as some smaller rides in the background of the pier, but that wasn't what Eddie seemed focused on. He was transfixed by the swirling pattern of lights on the Ferris wheel, flashing from red, to white, to blue before starting the cycle over again.

"Yeah," Richie said as he put the car into park and turned off the motor. He didn't say anything else for a while, but sat quietly as Eddie watched the blinking lights in the distance.

It was nearly a minute before Eddie turned to him. He leaned back more comfortably in his seat before he asked, "Why did you want me to see it?"

Richie took a deep breath before he replied, "Because." He didn't go on, because goddamn. He was really trying to be more open and honest about himself with Eddie, but now that he was actually doing so, he was starting to feel sick. He knew he didn't have to worry, because this was Eddie, and Eddie fucking loved and accepted him no matter what. No matter how sad and pathetic he knew he was.

It was Eddie's turn to place a comforting hand on Richie's thigh, smiling at him encouragingly. "Because why?"

The ring on Eddie's finger caught Richie's eye just then, reflecting the pinkish-orange light of the setting sun back at him. This caused Richie to smile, laying his hand over Eddie's and rubbing his thumb over the ring there.

"I come here a lot," Richie finally told. He glanced at Eddie quickly only to turn away again. He stared straight ahead at the spiraling lights of the Ferris wheel in the distance as they settled into a star pattern. "I sit here and…think about things."

When Richie didn't go on, Eddie prompted him again. "About what?"

"It's stupid," Richie told him. Gripping the steering wheel with his free hand, he tried to will away some of the tension he was feeling. The tension that sprung up from Eddie watching him, waiting for Richie to spill his guts in a way he rarely did. Pressing his head back into the seat behind him, Richie took another deep breath, watching the Ferris wheel make a few rotations.

Eddie didn't spur him on this time, just sat and watched him, gripping his hand tightly. It was like he knew exactly what Richie needed in that moment – just quiet support and patience – and that was what finally pushed Richie to admit why he had brought Eddie here.

"A lot of people bring their significant others here," Richie said absently, still staring straight ahead at the lights dancing through the windshield. Even though he knew Eddie wouldn't think any less of him for this, it was still hard to meet his gaze, hard to face the emotions that must be present on Eddie's features. "I would sit here and…watch them come and go. Watch them holding each others' hands. Watch them kissing. And feeling sorry for myself, because I never had that." He paused and swallowed hard before adding, "Didn't feel like I could ever have it."

Frowning, Eddie leaned towards him, and Richie could see the festival lights reflecting in his eyes. Richie knew that Eddie got it now. Got him, maybe in a way that Richie didn't even quite get himself.

"Rich…did you…?" Eddie began, but then he apparently thought better of his words. He bit at his bottom lip for a moment before he said, "I mean, am I…?" He didn't go on, and Richie didn't need him to.

Richie nodded. "Yeah." He finally turned his head, fully facing Eddie now. "You're my first relationship. Ever."

"Not even…a random hookup?"

Richie shook his head. "I couldn't. I'm fucking gay. I was always too terrified that if I ever did hookup with anyone, if I ever so much as hinted at the fact that I wasn't completely straight, I'd wake up to being outed on social media and my career being over."

Eddie rubbed his free hand harshly over his face. "Fuck, I'm sorry."

This caused Richie to smile, if only a little bit. "It's not your fault."

"No, I know." Eddie hesitated before he added, "I just meant…that's why you're not exactly ready for sex either. Because you never…"

"Never," Richie cut him off softly. "I'm a fucking pathetic loser. I know it."

"That's not what I meant," Eddie said, "and you know it. I would never even think that about you, much less say it."

"Don't know why not." Richie was feeling sorry for himself now, and he wasn't sure why. He finally had Eddie, and Eddie was sitting next to him at the Santa Monica Pier where he'd always wanted to bring a significant other. He was so close to having everything he'd always wanted, and yet, being a forty-year-old virgin really messed with his mind sometimes. He was staring down at the steering wheel, almost wishing it would somehow open up and swallow him whole, because why had he ever started this conversation with Eddie in the first place?

Richie hadn't even planned on opening up to Eddie like this when he'd first brought him to the pier. Richie just wanted to bring his first ever significant other to the amusement park, maybe even ride the Ferris wheel with him, but just like always, he had problems when it came to censoring himself around certain people. Especially around Eddie. Always around Eddie.

"Hey," Eddie said, leaning closer to him still. "You know I love you, right?"

Yeah, Richie knew that. He had known that ever since Eddie had pulled him down and kissed the shit out of him at the hospital. He saw the intense and loving expression on Eddie's face, in his eyes when he did it, so yes, Richie knew, even though he wasn't always entirely sure why. He nodded.

"None of that means you're pathetic or unlovable," Eddie told him. "Just like being gay doesn't mean you're unworthy of love either." Eddie reached across the console with his free hand, placing his hand on Richie's far cheek and turning his head. "Look at me."

Richie's eyes darted to the shoreline, to the water still washing up over the sand. A part of Richie wished that a tidal wave would thunder through the water, cresting up over his car, and washing them out to sea. On the other hand though, this was Eddie. The fucking love of his life who had just moved to LA to be with him. Richie knew Eddie hadn't made that choice lightly or easily, although it sometimes seemed like he had. He had picked up and transplanted his entire life for Richie, so what in the hell was Richie really afraid of? Not to mention, Eddie always talked about how they needed to be honest with one another, and that was what Richie wanted too. But he was still afraid.

Just like he always was.

Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Richie finally met Eddie's eyes. At first, he wanted to look away, but he forced himself to hold Eddie's gaze. Tried to force away the ball of tightness that had settled somewhere down in the pit of his stomach.

Eddie smiled at him, something so small and demure, but fuck. Richie would reveal all his truths a million times over if Eddie kept looking at him like that.

"I actually think it's kind of sweet," Eddie whispered.

Richie frowned, because he had lost the topic of their conversation somewhere along the line. "What? Being gay?"

"No, dumbass," Eddie said, although there was absolutely no vitriol behind his words. His voice was still tender and sweet, just like his expression was. "I mean being a virgin. It's almost like…you were waiting for me."

Suddenly, Richie found himself smiling, because how did Eddie always know the right thing to say? Richie could feel the sting of tears in his eyes as he said, "I was. Even when I couldn't remember you, I think I still always knew that my soulmate was out there, and no one ever quite measured up. I only ever wanted you."

"I only ever wanted you too," Eddie replied, that small smile still playing about his lips. A moment, however, it faded as he said, "I'm just sorry I settled for Myra."

Shaking his head, Richie said, "Don't be. Even if it wasn't with me, I still wanted you to be happy. I know that's not what you found with Myra, but…I can't blame you for trying."

Eddie's smile was back, but he didn't reply just yet. He brought Richie's hand up, pressing a kiss over his fingers before he said, "I love you, Richie."

Tightening his fingers over Eddie's, Richie replied, "I love you." He paused then, biting at his lower lip as he diverted his gaze to the windshield, to the still flashing lights of the carnival rides beyond. "Wanna ride the Ferris wheel with me?"

"Now?"

"Yeah." Richie leaned his head back against the seat behind him, staring at Eddie intently. "Make my dream come true?"

"Yeah," Eddie echoed back before reaching for the handle of his car door.

All at once, there was a certain excitement about him, almost like a little kid on Christmas that Richie didn't get to see very often. Richie liked it, and he decided that it was something he wanted to see more of going forward.

Richie couldn't get his car door open fast enough, and he was quickly running to keep up with Eddie as he made a beeline across the parking lot. As soon as Richie caught up with him, he said, "Jesus. I didn't know you were so starved for carnival rides. Otherwise, we could have done this sooner."

"You know how it was with my mother," Eddie said quietly, "and then Myra. God forbid I ever do anything fun, because I might get hurt or killed. Amusement park and festival rides were definitely out of the question." He rolled his eyes before adding, "Meanwhile, the risk of getting seriously injured on a fixed-site amusement park ride is about one in sixteen million, so I'm actually much safer on the Ferris wheel than I am in the car with you, for example." Eddie threw a glance back at Richie over his shoulder before continuing on his trek across the parking lot.

God help Richie, but he wanted to kiss him. He wanted to kiss this beautiful, ridiculously strong man before who was finally learning to be his own person and do the things he wanted to do. Not what his mother wanted, or what Myra wanted, but Eddie. In the end, Richie settled for reaching just in front of him and tucking his hand into Eddie's.

This stopped Eddie in his tracks, and he turned around to face Richie. "We're in public," Eddie said, like he had to remind Richie every time he wanted to engage in a public display of affection.

"I know," Richie said simply, shrugging.

"This isn't Derry or even New York," Eddie pointed out. "This is…this is where you live. Aren't…aren't you afraid of being recognized?"

Expelling a breath, Richie stared down at the pavement underneath his feet. "Terrified. But I'm even more afraid of living the rest of my life in a closet." When Richie glanced up to meet Eddie's eyes again, he said, "I just want to be able to hold my boyfriend's hand at the amusement park like a fucking normal person. And if I don't even have the courage to do that, how am I ever going to come out?"

"Your fiancé's hand," Eddie corrected him.

"My fiancé's hand," Richie repeated. He adjusted his hand inside Eddie's so that he could grip it instead and run his finger over the ring. The ring Richie didn't think he'd ever tire of reminding himself now resided on Eddie's finger.

"Are you sure you're okay with this?"

"I am if you are."

There was that demure smile again, playing about Eddie's lips. "More than okay."

"Me too," Richie agreed.

"Okay. But if you think someone's staring too long or you just feel too uncomfortable, it's okay to let go. I won't be upset."

"I told you," Richie said, starting to lead way towards the front gates of Pacific Park, "I'll never let go."

Eddie fell into step beside him, quietly looking around at all the twinkling lights and the rides swirling to life around them.

"The great thing about this place," Richie told him as they passed through the front gates, "is that admission is completely free. You only have to pay for the rides, so I could come, and walk around, and feel sorry for myself all I wanted for free."

Eddie's hand tightened around his before he said, "You know, Rich, when I met you in the Jade of the Orient and I realized who you were, I kind of thought you were amazing."

Richie looked at him quickly before snorted. "Now you know. I'm a fucking pathetic loser."

"No, you're not," Eddie said. Even though Richie was looking straight ahead at the crowds of people around them, he could feel Eddie's eyes on him. "You moved to LA and pursued your dreams. I mean, look at where you live!" Eddie gestured around them, at the flashing lights, the groups of people, and the slowly disappearing orange ball of sun setting the ocean on fire beyond. "I…I kind of think it's amazing. You're…a man of the world and I never got out from underneath the thumbs of my mother and Myra. At least…you did your own thing."

"You're doing your own thing now, too," Richie reminded him. "The Eddie I saw in the Jade of the Orient never would have picked up and moved across the country for…anyone. Not even me."

"That's the effect you have on me," Eddie replied. "You make me feel like I can do anything, and I like that. I like who I am when I'm with you."

"Me too."

Truth be told, the other thing Richie liked was that absolutely no one seemed to be at all concerned with the fact that he was holding another man's hand. Richie didn't notice anyone sparing him or Eddie a second glance, much less staring at them like they were evil incarnate. It was nice.

After they bought their tickets for the Ferris wheel from the vendor (again, who didn't seem the least bit concerned about two men buying tickets for a ride together), they made their way to get in line. Richie had been a bit concerned about standing in such close proximity to people, certain that someone would recognize him or at least make a snide remark, but no. Everyone seemed too caught up in their own companions and the scenery around them to worry about what two losers were doing.

As soon as Richie led Eddie onto the ride itself, he immediately sat down on the side that would have them looking out over the water as the ride went around. He tugged at Eddie's hand to sit down on the bench seat with him and said, "You have to watch the water when you ride. The other view can't compare."

Eddie sat down next to him, and Richie didn't even wait for the ride to start to make his move. Richie stretched him arm behind Eddie, letting it rest on the small railing around the rim of the bucket. Eddie immediately inched closer to him, relaxing into Richie's chest and letting his hand fall on Richie's knee.

When the ride began to move a few moments later, Eddie's attention was glued to the horizon, to the sun that was currently burning a bright orange trail through the water. It lit up the entire expanse of water like it was on fire and the bright light was reflected in Eddie's eyes.

"Fuck, Rich," Eddie gasped as they made their way higher into the sky.

"I know," Richie agreed, although his attention was somewhere else entirely. "It's beautiful."

Eddie side-eyed him for a moment and said, "You're not even looking, dumbass."

"I'm looking at the most beautiful thing here," Richie told him, and he was. Everything from Eddie's large and round brown eyes to the fucking adorable little dimples that peeked out of his facial hair every now again made Richie feel like he was thirteen all over again. He had the urge to pinch himself, because fuck, here he was on the Ferris wheel with the love of his life, like he had always hoped, and wished, and longed for. And Eddie was in his arms, not just sitting next to him like they would have as friends. Finally. It was almost too much to process.

As much as Eddie fought to try and hide it, a grin broke out across his lips and there were those dimples again. Richie pressed his nose into Eddie's cheek before kissing it, and lifting his arm from the back of their cart to wrap around Eddie instead. He reached across Eddie for his left hand, gripping it in his and pulling it close to his chest. This caused Eddie to turn towards him, tearing his gaze away from the water at long last.

Eddie leaned in closer, sealing his lips over Richie's. They were almost to the top of the Ferris wheel, out of sight of any onlookers, so Eddie didn't seem the least bit concerned about pressing his tongue against Richie's lips insistently. Richie opened his mouth for him, and Eddie snaked his right arm up between them, wrapping his fingers around the back of Richie's neck.

They were starting their descent before Eddie broke the kiss, but he still didn't pull away, staring into Richie's eyes. Eddie let out a soft breath a moment later before readjusting himself and resting his head against Richie's shoulder. Richie kissed the top of Eddie's head before resting his cheek against Eddie's hair and finally taking a moment to look out over the ocean as they went.

It only vaguely occurred to Richie that people could see them as they passed back through the loading station, but he still didn't loosen his grip on Eddie. Eddie didn't move to pull away from him either, and for perhaps the first time in Richie's life, it was okay. The furthest thought from Richie's mind were the fucking people and what they might think about two gay guys making out on the Ferris wheel. It couldn't be the first time it had happened on that ride, and all that mattered to Richie in that moment was Eddie. Eddie was fucking alive and riding the Ferris wheel while wrapped up in Richie's arms, one of the things Richie had wished for all his life.

Richie closed his eyes as they made their way back up towards the apex of the ride, but it didn't stop the tears that leaked out from Richie's eyelids, dropping onto Eddie's perfectly combed hair beneath him.

When they were back down on the ground and making their way along the line of midway games, Richie asked, "Can I win you a ridiculously stupid stuffed animal?" He was biting at his bottom lip, because he was certain Eddie would scoff at either the goofy prizes or the totally unfair games, but he did neither. Perhaps it was the ride they had just shared, or maybe it was the long talk they'd had in the car, but Eddie surprised him either way.

"If it's from you," Eddie whispered, not quite meeting his eyes, "it won't be stupid."

Grinning, Richie immediately picked out a game that had various sizes of stuffed Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as prizes, because both he and Eddie had been fans of the cartoon series in their youth. The toys were shaped more like real turtles, on all fours rather than standing up on two legs, and there were ones dressed to look like each of the four turtles. They all had colorful eye masks as well as elbow and knee pads, and their signature weapon was attached to the backs of their shells. Richie kind of thought they were cute.

The game itself was called Water Fun! and consisted of a row of water guns that the players would aim at targets. This caused little platforms with the stuffed turtles on them rise into the air, and the first player to reach the top won. It only took Richie a couple of tries to get the hang of the game, because if there was one thing playing video games taught him in his youth, it was how to aim at a fucking target.

At some point while he was playing, Richie felt Eddie's hand fall lightly on his upper back. It was a nice touch that Richie found himself leaning into against his own better judgment. He glanced to his right and left, up and down the row of players on either side of him, but not one of them seemed to take any notice of Richie or Eddie. They were all too caught up on keeping their own stream of water on their target to worry about what their fellow competitors were doing.

Richie ended up winning the next game, but he wasn't done quite yet. Since there were a series of sequentially larger prizes, Richie had to win three games in order to secure the largest price for Eddie. As it turned out, Richie had well and truly gotten the hang of the game, because he won the next two games as well.

When the woman attending the game asked Richie which of the largest prizes he wanted, Richie looked back over his shoulder at Eddie, grinning. "Which one will it be?"

Eddie's cheeks appeared slightly red, but Richie couldn't quite tell if he was blushing or it was simply the reflection of the game's lights. "Michelangelo," Eddie said, pointing to the turtle in orange. "He's annoying, just like you."

When the lady handed Richie his prize, Richie stood up from his stool in one fluid motion and held the turtle out for Eddie. Eddie accepted it, wrapping his arms around it tightly. The turtle's four feet were now pressed into Eddie's chest, and Michelangelo was grinning up stupidly at Eddie. Richie knew the feeling.

Richie had the urge to lean down and kiss Eddie. If he wasn't mistaken, Eddie looked like he may have been having the same thoughts himself, but neither of them moved. A few of the people Richie had been playing against were watching them, and he didn't quite think it was prudent just then.

But then something else caught Richie's eye, and his face lit up even more when he noticed the cotton candy and popcorn stall just behind Eddie.

"You can't go to the amusement park and not have cotton candy!" Richie exclaimed, stepping around Eddie to get in line.

"You still eat that shit?" Eddie asked him, hurrying to keep up. When Richie reached his destination and turned to face him, Eddie was grimacing. "It's pure fucking sugar."

"After seeing what I put in my coffee," Richie pointed out, "you're surprised?"

"My mistake," Eddie grumbled. "Well, I'm getting popcorn," he said, taking stock of what else the stall had to offer. "You can't go to the fair and not have popcorn. And it isn't loaded with sugar."

"Just salt."

"Shut up."

"One of each," Richie told the vendor when they got up to the window, quickly paying for them before Eddie could have a chance to protest.

When he handed Eddie his popcorn and they rejoined the throng of people walking past the midway games, Richie wasted no time in opening his bag of cotton candy. He tore off and shoved a large piece of soft pink fluff into his mouth, grinning at the sensation of it melting against his tongue. The taste briefly reminded Richie of when they were children at the Derry Canal Days festival, and Richie desperately wanted to win prizes for Eddie then too. And Jesus Christ, here they were, with a big stuffed turtle still tucked under Eddie's arms. It almost made Richie's head spin trying to process it all.

Eddie, meanwhile, had opened his box of popcorn and was systematically popping single pieces into his mouth at a time. Because of course he was, and it made Richie want to kiss him all over again. Richie shoved more cotton candy into his mouth to distract himself, and then Eddie pointed out something else.

"Let's go in the photo booth," Eddie said, pointing to the little cubicle off to the side with a curtain hanging over the entrance. "Just like when we were kids."

When they were seated in the darkened safety of the photo booth, Richie could finally turn and kiss Eddie just as he'd wanted to do for the last fifteen minutes. The light flashed as a picture snapped, and at first, Eddie grinned into Richie's mouth. A moment later, however, Eddie pulled away with a scowl.

"Jesus Christ," Eddie said, pressing a hand against Richie's chest. "I can taste all that fucking sugar just on your lips. How can eat that?"

"With my mouth," Richie replied, shoving another large piece of fluff into his mouth.

Eddie rolled his eyes as a flash of light indicated another picture being taken. Then Eddie leaned against Richie's shoulder, apparently deciding that they should have more than one sweet picture. Richie quickly wrapped his arm around him, pulling him closer and leaning his head against the top of Eddie's head just like he had done on the Ferris wheel. He could see Eddie tightening his arms around his stuffed turtle as the last picture flashed.

Eddie was yawning when they walked through the parking lot back to Richie's car nearly an hour later. Eddie was digging in the bottom of his popcorn box for the very last pieces while Richie finished his cotton candy and threw away the plastic bag in a garbage can along the way.

Richie glanced back over his shoulder, and when he was sure they were alone, he threw an arm around Eddie's shoulders. Eddie leaned up against him, humming contentedly.

"Thanks, Richie," Eddie mumbled sleepily. "That was nice."

"Yeah, it was," Richie agreed as he fished his car key out of his pocket. "Ready to go home now?"

"Mhm."

On their way back to Richie's apartment, Michelangelo sat on top of Eddie's lap as he stared out his window at the passing lights and cars. His eyelids were drooping and it almost looked like he was about to doze off, but he didn't. There was a contented smile on his lips that didn't fade until Richie pulled into the parking lot for his apartment.

"Shit," Eddie whispered, staring up at the high-rise building that sprawled up into the air. "This is your building?"

"I told you it was plush, Eds," Richie said, putting his car into park and turning off the ignition. "Try not to act so surprised."

"No, but…" Eddie began, but he trailed off. He leaned forward, staring up at the white concrete building and the expanse of windows and balconies that lined it. "This is nice." He stared back at Richie in awe.

Richie snorted as he opened his door and got out. "Nicer than you thought, hm?"

Eddie climbed out of the car a moment later, still clutching at his stuffed turtle and gazing up at the building. He shrugged nonchalantly then, because god forbid that he let on that he loved Richie's place.

"Admit it, Eds," Richie said, opening the trunk of the car and pulling out his duffle bag. "You are in love with your new home."

"Stop calling me Eds."

Richie could only grin, because it was a sure sign that Eddie admitted defeat when he resorted to an old argument which had fuck all to do with their current conversation. "Is it okay if we leave everything else until tomorrow?" he asked, staring at the bags and boxes of Eddie's shit in the trunk. "I'm fucking beat."

"Yeah," Eddie agreed, leaning over to pick up his toiletry bag, which was still the only one that Richie would let him carry. "I just want to see my home."

A warm sensation exploded to life inside Richie's chest, because they were home. They were no longer just talking about it, but they were actually there, and Richie had to fight to keep the tears from springing up in his eyes again.

Slinging his duffle bag over his shoulder and pulling both of Eddie's suitcases out of the trunk next, Richie shut it and began leading Eddie towards the large glass double doors beneath the deep blue canopy that sat atop them. Bright lights lined the walkway and Richie could just make out his favorite doorman at the front desk inside the lobby.

"Wait till you meet Jeff," Richie told him as Eddie pushed opened one of the doors and held it open for Richie. "He's the best."

The lobby was painted in white with a matching white desk. There was an expansive red rug on the floor with soft red chairs lined up in various places along the walls.

As soon as Richie stepped inside, Jeff immediately yelled, "Richie Tozier!" like he was looking at a ghost.

"Yeah, yeah," Richie said good-naturedly, leading Eddie over to the desk. "As I've told Helen, news of my death has been greatly exaggerated. "

"So were you in rehab this entire time like people seem to think you were?" Jeff asked, his tone suggesting that the entire rumor was bullshit. He got up from his seat and went over to the wall behind him, picking up one of the totes on the table there.

"Fuck no," Richie told him when Jeff rejoined them at the desk. "I know I'm a mess, but I'm not that much of a mess. We just had a lot of things going on in our group of friends," he said around a sigh.

Jeff had set the tote down and Richie realized that it was full of all the mail he had received while he had been away. He had all of his bills set up for autopay, so it was mostly full of junk mail and probably some fan mail mixed in. Along with letting Jason know that he was back in town and setting up a meeting with him, Richie suddenly knew what his job for tomorrow was.

"I'm sorry to hear that," Jeff replied, frowning deeply. "Is everything okay?"

"It is now, thanks," Richie said before gesturing to Eddie. "This is my best friend, Eddie. He's going to be staying with me."

"Eddie," Jeff greeted, sticking out his hand for Eddie to shake. "I'm Jeff, nighttime doorman and Richie's number one fan."

Eddie blinked and without missing a beat, he asked, "He has fans?"

"Yeah, I know," Jeff agreed, running a hand through his curly mop of blond hair. "I'm probably the only one in existence, but I never claimed to have my head on straight."

"Hey now!" Richie cried, because one of them picking on him at a time was certainly enough. "I don't need the both of you ganging up on me now, because if you are, this whole deal's off."

"I'm glad you're back though," Jeff said around a grin. "I've really missed seeing your shows. Are you still going to be doing comedy?"

Richie stiffened under Jeff's gaze, because he wasn't sure that his new brand of comedy was going to be exactly what Jeff had in mind. "Yeah," Richie managed to get out, however. "It's probably going to be a while before I get back into the swing of things, but…eventually, yeah."

"That's good to hear," Jeff said before turning to Eddie. "Do you have more luggage? I can send someone out to get it."

"Yeah," Eddie said, adjusting his arms around his stuffed turtle and toiletry bag. "We're going to wait until the morning though. It's been a long drive."

"Do you want me to hold this too until then?" Jeff said, patting the tote in front of him.

"That would be great," Richie said. "I think we're just going to pass out tonight. We can move his shit in tomorrow."

They were riding the elevator up to the top floor of the building when Eddie spoke again. "Jeff's nice," he said.

"I knew you'd like him," Richie replied, grinning. "Just don't think the two of you are going to be conspiring against me like that anymore. One of you is enough."

"You love it," Eddie said, and he was suddenly leaning up on his tiptoes. He pressed his lips against Richie's while Michelangelo got squished between them.

"I love you," Richie mumbled against his lips.

"I love you," Eddie replied, stepping away and gazing up into Richie's eyes. He squeezed his turtle in his arms again and said, "Thank you for my turtle, by the way. I love him too."

"We'll have to go back so I can win you one of each."

When the elevator doors opened and the bell dinged, Eddie immediately hurried into the hallway beyond, anxious to see where he would now be living. Richie followed him, but then took the lead, guiding Eddie across the small lobby to the front door of his apartment.

Richie set one of Eddie's suitcases down while he dug inside his pocket for the key to his door. He wasted no time in getting the door open and then stepping aside so that Eddie could enter first. The lights were off, so Richie reached just inside the doorway and flipped the light switch there. Bright white lights flooded the open plan apartment, which caused Eddie to gasp once again.

They stood in an entryway with a long table against one wall and a bright blue plush rug on the white tile floor. Richie set his keys down on the table while he closed and locked the door behind them. Eddie had stepped farther into the room, making his way into the living room area.

The chairs were immaculate white with bright blue throw pillows and blankets strewn across them. There was another blue rug in the center of that area with a glass coffee table that sat on top. A flat screen television hung on the wall next to the door and on the other side of the chairs was an entire wall of windows that looked out over the ocean beyond. The moon was up now, blazing a trail of silver diamonds dancing across the water.

Eddie dropped his toiletry bag next to the couch before making his way to the windows. He was still clutching onto Michelangelo tightly as he said, "It's fucking gorgeous."

Richie set Eddie's suitcases and his duffle bag next to the couch as well before coming up behind Eddie. "I know," Richie agreed, wrapping his arms around Eddie's waist. He kissed the back of Eddie's neck and added, "I don't like to brag, but I'm pretty fond of it myself." He tilted his head, trailing kisses up towards Eddie's jaw. "But it looks so much nicer with you here."

This caused Eddie to giggle and he suddenly turned, pressing his turtle up between them again. He pressed another kiss to Richie's lips before he turned to take in the kitchen area next.

The cabinets were white with a deep blue stone countertop and silver appliances. There was an island counter with blue cushioned barstools lined up against it, and in the middle of the blue stone was a small neatly written note from his housekeeper.

Lasagna's in the fridge. Welcome home!

~Helen

"Leave it to Helen," Richie said, tapping the note on the counter. "I told her we'd be home tonight and I had no idea what we'd be eating, because there's fuck all in the fridge. Wait till you taste her cooking. You'll think you've died and gone to heaven."

"Already there," Eddie said. He set Michelangelo down on one of the barstools before he turned to wrap his arms around Richie's neck. "You know, I was really kind of nervous about coming here."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Richie placed his hands on Eddie's cheeks, rubbing his thumbs along his facial hair gently.

Eddie shrugged. "It's what I do though – worry. You should be fully aware of that by now."

"I hate the thought that you were scared though." Richie placed a kiss on the tip of Eddie's nose.

"I was excited too," Eddie told him. "I was just afraid that…I'd feel like I was intruding here. Because this is your home and not mine. Because you already have friends and fans here that I know nothing about-"

Richie silenced him with a finger against his lips. "It's your home now too."

"I know," Eddie replied, "and…it actually already feels like it." He let out a soft breath before he added, "I feel more at home here already than I ever felt with my mother or Myra. Maybe because it was always my home. You were always wishing for someone to share it with, and I was always hoping to…feel free."

"And you feel that way here?"

Eddie nodded solemnly. "You make me feel that way. You never make me feel smothered the way they did."

Richie let his hands drop down so that he could wrap his arms around Eddie's waist instead. He pulled Eddie closer before leaning down to capture Eddie's lips in a kiss.

Eddie groaned softly and pulled away before he mumbled, "You still fucking taste like sugar. How the fuck is that even possible?"

"That's just me, Eddie baby," Richie disagreed, "sweet as fuck. You said so yourself."

"Oh dear god," Eddie groaned, "why did I ever tell you that? And 'Eds' is one thing, but 'baby' has got to stop."

"Why don't you make me?"

"If you think I can't shut you up, you've got another thing coming."

"Want to see the bedroom then?" Richie asked, grabbing Eddie's hand and guiding him down the hallway on the other side of the kitchen.

"You know what?" Eddie asked as they went. "On second thought, I changed my mind. I'm getting the fuck out of here."

"Wait till you see it," Richie said, reaching around the corner at the end of the hall and turning the light switch on there as well.

The bedroom was in a similar color scheme as the rest of the apartment – bright white carpeting and walls with a deep blue bedspread and matching curtains that framed the picture windows. The bedframe itself and the rest of the furniture were in a soft wood tone. The lamps had silver bases with blue lampshades, and a few silver picture frames littered the surfaces next to them.

"We need to get one of our pictures framed for in here," Eddie said, inspecting the pictures of Richie standing next to various LA landmarks – the Santa Monica pier where they had just been and the Hollywood sign being a couple that Eddie recognized.

Richie hummed in agreement. "And for the rest of the apartment. One of the things I always wished for. So I don't have to look like such a loser, going to all these places by myself."

"You're not, Rich," Eddie said, directing all his attention to Richie then. "I told you. Look at this place." He gestured to the windows, one which looked out over the ocean as well while the other led to a balcony where a highway in the distance could be seen. "It may not have been everything you wanted, but look at the life you've made for yourself. I think it's pretty amazing if you ask me."

"It is now," Richie said, reaching out to take Eddie's hands in his. He slowly guided Eddie to the bed and sat down on the edge of the mattress, pulling Eddie down on top of him. A moment later, Richie was flat on his back with Eddie kissing him deeply and pressing against him insistently.

"What about the lasagna?" Eddie asked in between kisses.

"I'm having dessert first," Richie said, wrapping his arms firmly around Eddie and pulling him even closer yet. He could feel a rumble of laughter somewhere deep within Eddie's chest.

"You certainly taste like it," Eddie replied, not bothering to let up on his kisses this time.

Unlike their last aborted make out session in their hotel room in New York, this one lasted well through the night as the moonlight threw its glow across the ocean waters outside.

To be continued…

Author's note: I've never been to Pacific Park, but I spent an inordinate amount of time watching videos of the Santa Monica Pier in order to make this as accurate as possible. There really is a midway game like this called Water Fun!, because people can't think of more original names, I guess. And this is what this fandom has made me do, so…who am I to complain? :P