It was 2020. Since the pandemic first hit, Eddie's hypochondria had spiked up almost a hundred notches. He couldn't go to school without washing his hands before and after every school block. He had nearly a lifetime supply of hand sanitizer in his backpack at all times, and freaked out whenever his stash got below three mini-bottles. Some days, when his hypochondria was extremely bad, he'd prioritize bringing extra wipes and hand sanitizer bottles over his actual school books. He was anxious all day every day, worried he might be sick. But more than all, he was worried about getting his friends sick. He loved them, they were the only people in the world who understood him. If one of them got corona and died, he wouldn't know what to do with himself. Especially Richie. Whenever the two hung out Eddie would wash his hands a couple extra times just in case. He wondered if Richie ever took personal offense to his extra sanitizing when he was around, but didn't think much of it. After all, he'd rather have his friends offended than dead. Especially Richie. Eddie had loved him since they were in the third grade, but he only learned what a crush was at that time so who knows how much longer before that Eddie had just been oblivious.

Richie, on the other hand, was more excited to be in school than ever. Online school was horrible for him. It was hard enough for him to keep focused in school let alone at his house with hundreds of distractions all around him. He was safe. He wore his mask every day and made sure to sanitize his hands often(always making a scene out of stealing some from Eddie). But when he was around Eddie, he always felt so anxious. He felt anxious because Eddie was anxious. He hated seeing him like that, all tense and scared of germs. He still remembers the day corona was declared a pandemic. Eddie had cried in his arms for hours, and after calming him down Richie took Eddie out to buy 27 bottles of hand sanitizer. As much as he found his hypochondria stupid, Richie couldn't help but care for Eddie. Richie always knew he was gay, but only knew for real once his feelings for Eddie turned from friendship into romantic. He couldn't help it. Eddie was so cute, with his pinchable cheeks and soft smile, warm eyes practically inviting you to spend the rest of your life with them. He really loved Eddie, and nothing could change that.

It was Tuesday, the second week back in school. The bell to go home had just rung, and Richie was sprinting out the door towards the equipment shed. That's where he and Eddie met every day after school so they could walk home together. Richie said it was because they should be together in case Bowers came after them, but he knew the real reason was much deeper. The air was cold outside, as it was slowly becoming autumn. Luckily Richie had brought a jacket with him, he slipped it on. As soon as he had zippered the jacket, he saw Eddie running towards him. As he got closer, he could see slight tears streaming down Eddie's face. What had happened, had someone hurt him? Eddie ran up to Richie and into his arms. That was new, but so nice. He sobbed quietly into Richie's chest for a moment. The taller boy brought his hand to the back of Eddie's head and hugged him in closer to his chest.

"Eds what happened? Are you okay?" Richie asked, the concern visible in his voice.

"It was Bowers," Eddie said in between sniffles, "he stole all my hand sanitizer. I'm going to get sick." Eddie began to cry harder.

"Eddie look!" Richie pulled out a bottle of hand sanitizer from the pocket of his backpack and held it up. Eddie stepped away from Richie, hope showing on his face. He took the bottle and began pumping an obscene amount of the gel onto his hands.

"I thought you didn't have any of this, you always use mine." Eddie said, happily.

"Well…" Richie mumbled.

"Richie." Eddie looked up at Richie, confused. "Why do you always use my hand sanitizer if you have your own?" He asked, still staring at Richie. Richie felt his face flush red, hopefully it wasn't noticeable.

"I, um, I forgot I had some. Sorry." Richie looked at the ground.

"Well if you forgot how come you just remembered now?"

"Wow Eds, are you really that against sharing?" Richie said, chuckling awkwardly.

"Well in the midst of a global pandemic, kind of." Richie felt a soft tear roll down his cheek, which was still tilted towards the ground. Eddie put his hand to Richie's chin and lifted it.

"Richie, what's wrong? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt your feelin-"

"I like you." Richie said blatantly, regretting it the moment after it was spoken. "That's why I steal your hand sanitizer. Because I want you to notice. I'm sorry." Eddie looked at Richie, furrowing his brow, then quickly looked him up and down, his face still withered. And before he could even digest what was happening, Eddie was leaning up and kissing Richie. Once Richie realized this was actually happening, he began melting into the kiss. He moved his hands down to Eddie's hips, and Eddie moved his from Richie's chin to his cheek. Their lips fell apart and back together in one soft, sweet motion. Eddie stepped back, his eyes still closed. Richie's hands stayed on Eddie's hips as both boys slowly opened their eyes. "Woah." Richie said, smiling dorkily. Eddie smirked, showing off a different side of himself. "So, does that mean you like me or no-" He was cut off with another swift kiss.

"I like you too, dipshit." Eddie looked down at the ground, glancing back up at Richie occasionally. "Walk me home?"

"Always."

Hey guys! I hope you're enjoying these one shots! If you want me to keep working on this project please leave a review! Follow, favourite, whatever you can! I love knowing people are enjoying my work! Also I'd LOVE to write some Reddie One Shot requests if you have any! Comment them if you do, I'll work on them right away! Thanks so much for reading! :)