The Best Part of Me (Is You)
Chapter Four
Richie's POV
"Wait, what kind of knot are we doing?" Bill asks over his shoulder, looking away from his own reflection in the mirror.
"The Windsor," Stan throws back over his shoulder, where he's sitting playing cards with Mike.
Bill frowns in concentration, practicing.
A soft knocking sound comes from Stan & Mike's corner.
"There's no way you're knocking so soon!" Mike groans, looking down at these cards.
"Read it and weep," Stan smirks, laying out his groups of cards on the table.
Mike lets out a big sigh, resigned as he starts laying off cards onto Stan's.
"Wow, you had a shitty hand, Mikey."
"Shut it, Stan."
Out of the corner of the room, Bill groans in frustration, his tie twisted and knotted.
"Here, let me help," Eddie gets up from the couch where he's been sitting with Richie, to help.
Richie, already dressed his pants and shirt, thumbs through this phone. He's been sucked into watching cats videos on instagram, constantly thumbing to one after another. Every minute or so a dark figure keeps passing back and forth in front of him, throwing a shadow on his screen before it moves on and loops back again.
On the fourth trip back, Richie huffs in annoyance, throwing his phone down. "Ben, my man, you gotta calm down."
Ben's head snaps toward Richie. "Wha - what?"
"You're going to wear a spot into the carpet, haystack. It's going to be fine!"
"Oh, yeah, yeah. Sure," Ben nods his head, although he doesn't look convinced.
Unlike the others, Ben is fully dressed, even though the ceremony is still an hour and a half away. He's already wearing his dark blue suit, his vest, tie, and blazer. The only thing he's missing is his boutonnière.
Nodding to himself in self-concentration, Ben begins to pace again.
Slumping back into the couch, Richie let's Ben continue his endless pacing. Richie's heart goes out to Ben. He can only imagine what emotions he's going through. For some strange reason, he's nervous too. Just as nervous as Ben, even though this isn't his wedding day.
Restless, Richie stands up. "I'm gonna go check on Bev."
"They might not be done taking photos, Rich," Mike says.
"That's ok. I'll stay out of the way. Promise." He locks eyes with Eddie, who gives him the "behave" look. Richie grins, backing out of the door into the tiny hallway.
As he makes his way down the hall he can feel the slight tilt and sway of the ship rocking in the waves. In true Ben and Ben style they chartered a three hundred foot, four floor yacht to cruise around Lake Michigan during sunset for their two hundred guests.
As Richie gets closer to the door at the other end of the hallway he can hear laughter on the other side. He knocks, breaking up the laughter.
"Who is it?" someone calls.
"It's Richiiee!"
An older woman opens the door, greeting Richie with a smile. "Richie! Why, aren't you looking handsome!"
"Thank you, Mrs. Hanscom. May I come in?"
"Of course, of course." She opens the door, revealing a group of women - Audra, Patty, and Bev's friend, Kay - surrounding Bev dressed in a long white lace dress with her long burning red hair bundled in the back.
"Hi ladies," Richie grins.
"Are the boys decent?" Mrs. Hanscom asks. "I think I should take a peek in on Benny before the ceremony. Get some of my tears out before the ceremony, you know."
"Mrs. Hanscom, your boy is always decent."
"I think I'll join you, Mrs. Hanscom," Patty adds. "Audra?"
"Oh, yes, coming!" Audra calls, adjusting the bottom of Bev's dress before she runs out the door, joining the other ladies.
"I'm gonna go check with the Coordinator. See if everything is going ok. You good?" Kay tilts her head at Bev.
"Yes. Thank you, Kay." Bev smiles, squeezing Kay's hand before she heads out the door.
And then, it's just Richie and Bev.
"Damn, Red." Richie walks toward Bev, taking her outstretched hands. "You look beautiful."
"Thanks, Trashmouth."
"Seriously, Bev. You're going to give Ben a heart attack."
Bev's laugh rings out in the small room, only slightly louder than the crashing waves blowing in from the open port hole. Her laughter dies off into a shallow ragged breath. She looks nervous, something which is unusual for Bev. She never lets anything affect her, and even if something does, she never lets it show.
Sucking in a breath, she looks up at Richie, "You know, the first time I got married, I hated my dress. It was uncomfortable and it didn't feel like me. The whole night, I couldn't wait to take the damn thing off. It felt like I was wearing someone else's dress."
Feeling her hands shake, Richie grips Bev's hands tighter.
"And, of course," she continues, "that's cause I was. Tom had picked out the dress. Tom had picked out the wedding venue, the catering, and all the flowers. Fuck, he even told me who I should have as my bridesmaids."
"Hey, hey," Richie lightly shakes Bev's hands, pulling her out of her memories. "Don't cry, Bev."
Bev nods, gulping back her tears. "I just...I'm just trying to say that this," she motions to her dress and the room, "it feels nothing like that. This...this is right."
"I bet Ben just smiled and nodded through the whole planning phase, didn't he?"
Bev laughs, brushing the corner of her eyes. "He's been so sweet." A somber look crosses her face. "He's always been so sweet."
"Yeah," Richie nods, knowing what she's thinking. "Remember that time Ben tackled Bowers? Fucking nailed him."
They chuckle, remembering the apocalyptic "Rock War." Their laughter fades off, Bev staring at their still joined hands.
"Sometimes," Bev whispers, "I wish I could take the last twenty-seven years back. I wish I - we - never forgot each other. I never would have wasted so much of my life on someone as," she hisses in a sharp breath, "as disgusting as Tom. I could have found Ben much sooner, which is stupid to say cause he was always right there. I was just too stupid to see it."
"Hey, hey," Richie grabs Bev's shoulders, making her look at him. "None of that matters now, yeah? I mean - I wish the same thing too - but in the end we found each other again. And you and Ben have each other now. And you know, Ben would have waited forever for you. Like literally forever, Bev, so don't even fret about that."
"Yeah, kinda like how you would have waited forever for Eddie?" She grins, shrugging off her gloomy attitude.
Richie gulps, feeling his cheeks burn. "That obvious, huh?"
"Oh, no. No, not at all." Her voice is laced with sarcasm.
"Shut uuupp," he whines, pushing her shoulder in jest.
"Heey," she whines in return, "be nice. It's my wedding day." Pouting her lips, she bats her eyelashes.
"Fine, fine," Richie huffs, rolling his eyes. "But that just means you have to be nice to me on my wedding day." He groans the minute it comes out of his mouth.
Bev gasps. "Rich-ARD! You better not have asked Eddie to marry you and not have told any of us!" She stabs a finger into Richie's chest.
"No, no! God! Fuck! Why did I even say that!? I haven't even asked him yet, ok!? God, would you - stop - poking me!" Shuffling backwards, he swats away Bev's accusing finger.
"Good! I would have killed you if you did!" A devilish grin pulls at her lips as she loops her arm through his. "Now, tell me everything. Have you bought a ring? Do you know how you're going to ask him?"
"God, what is this? 20 questions?"
"Richie," she pokes him in the stomach. "Tell me!"
"Ok, ok! I bought him a ring, but I don't have it yet. I literally picked it out the day before we got here."
"Ooooh! Do you have a picture?"
"Well, no. I was too afraid to have it on my phone in case Eddie saw it. But, I can show it to you online."
Bev leans in close as Richie pulls up a photo of the minimalist ring. The exterior is white gold with a matte finish and square edges; the inside of the ring is a brilliant cooper.
"Ooh, Richie! It's perfect. You did an amazing job," she smiles up at him.
"Thanks," Richie says, scratching the back of his head. "I even got something engraved on the inside."
"R + E?" she grins, knowingly.
"Jesus! How the fuck does everyone know about that!?"
She shrugs. "It was your phone backdrop forever." She pulls away, but adds over her shoulder, "And, Ben might have told me about your...request."
"That motherfucker," Richie mumbles to himself.
"Soooo, how are you doing to ask him?"
"Oh, I have no fucking clue."
"Really?" Bev frowns.
"Really. I'm just trying to take this one step at a time, ok? It took me months to work up the courage to just buy a ring. Who knows how long it'll take me to work up the courage to actually ask him!"
"Why? You know he's going to say yes."
"No! No, I do not know that!"
Bev rolls her eyes. "Oh my god, Richie! Yes, you do! Eddie loves you."
"I know that, but that doesn't mean he wants to marry me. I mean, his last marriage was a disaster. Maybe he doesn't want to go through all that shit again."
"That's because he married someone he didn't love! That doesn't mean he doesn't want to get married ever again. Hey, trust me on this."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah," Bev nods. "He's crazy about you. You should see how he's been staring at you all weekend. Like he's thinking about the same thing." She wags her eyebrows up and down teasingly.
"Oh my god. Stop. I might die." Richie grabs his burning cheeks like a schoolgirl.
"Oh my gosh, you're such a sap."
"I hate you," Richie huffs, not really meaning it of course.
Just as Bev opens her mouth to reply, a knock comes from the door.
Kay pops her head in. "It's almost time."
"Ok. Thanks, Kay. We'll be right out." Bev nods, giving Kay the signal to go back out.
"Ok, well, I guess I'll go back and join the guys," Richie wipes his sweaty hands on his pants, slowly shuffling his way to the door.
"Richie! Wait!"
With his hand on the door knob, Richie turns back. "Yeah?"
"I - I wanted to ask if - if you would walk me down the aisle?"
Richie's mouth comes unhinged. "I'm sorry. You want me to...what?"
"Walk me down the aisle?"
"Why me?"
"Why not you?"
"I - I-," Richie stumbles. "What about the others? Any of the others?"
"I know. I could ask any of the others, but I want you to walk me down the aisle," she grabs his hand, "I love all of you the same-"
"Except Ben," Richie interrupts.
"Yes, except Ben," she rolls her eyes before continuing, "BUT you've always been...my partner in crime."
Richie grins, knowing exactly what she's talking about.
"Yeah, well, you always had the best ideas, Bev. Couldn't let you have all the fun."
"Exactly. You were always the first one to go along with my crazy ideas."
"Oh, no! No, no! Ben and Bill were always the first ones to go along with your crazy ideas. It's like they were always competing with each other on who could raise their hand first. Like they were trying to-"
"Ok, ok! I get it!" She lazily swats at him.
"I mean, they would have done anything if you had suggested it! They would have jumped off a bridge!"
"OK! I get it, you big jerk!"
"Ok, ok. Go on. You were saying."
"Ok, what I was saying is that you were always the first - and, yes, after Bill & Ben - to go along with my crazy ideas. It's like you were my…," she pauses, searching for the right word, "...my linchpin."
"Linchpin?"
"Yeah. Cause if I got you, then I got Eddie. And, if I got you and Eddie, then I got Stan. Stan would know that you and Eddie would tease him endlessly if he didn't go along. And, if I got Stan, then I got Mike. Mike never wants to be left out of anything that involves the whole group."
"Wow," Richie blinks, surprised. "You evil little…"
Bev shrugs with a wide grin on her face. "So, you see, you're my linchpin. None of you have really changed."
"Well, huh, thank you."
"And," Bev grins falls, becoming more serious, "I have always felt like you've understood me in a way none of the others have. You and I know what it's like to get in trouble or get blamed for something that's not our fault. The number of times you and I were in detention together for something we didn't do! It was a weekly thing."
"Like when Greeta would pretend you kicked her chair or something? The teacher would just assume you did it?"
"Or when Bowers would throw a spitwad at the black board and the teacher would just assume you did it?"
"Yeah, just two easy scapegoats. That's us."
"I always felt better when you were in detention with me. So I wouldn't be alone."
"Me too, Red. Me too," Richie smiles.
"So, what do you say? Will you walk me down the aisle?"
Richie gulps back a sob. "I would be honored, Bev."
/
The whole top deck of the 300-hundred-foot yacht has been transformed into a reception floor - circular tables fill the deck with Ben & Bev sitting at a sweetheart table at the bow of the ship. Right below their table is the dance floor. The five Losers - Richie, Eddie, Mike, Stan, & Bill, along with Patty & Audra - are sitting at a large table at the edge of the dance floor, right next to Ben & Bev. They have a stellar view of downtown Chicago which is twinkling against the orange and pink sunset. While the view is breathtaking, they're attention is currently locked on Bev and Ben, who are swaying on the dance floor. It's their first dance.
Richie snorts, taking a sip from his champagne glass. "I can't believe they choose this song as their first dance."
The sound of New Kids on the Block's I'll Be Loving You (Forever) fills the evening air.
"Oh, I don't know," Mike grins, "I think this is the perfect Ben & Bev song."
"Do you guys remember how Ben tried to hide how much he loved New Kids on the Block when he first joined the group?" Bill asks, smiling at the memory.
"What? You mean the three days before we all found out?" Eddie laughs.
"It wasn't exactly a secret," Stan joins in. "He hums under his breath when he's thinking."
"Aw, I used to love New Kids on the Block!" Patty giggles.
"Oh yeah? Who was your favorite?" Richie asks, leaning forward.
"Oh my gosh, I had the biggest crush on Jonny."
"Whaaat?" Stan frowns, turning toward Patty.
"What? I just loved his attitude and style." She twists her body to the beat to the music. "It was just a silly girl crush." She bats her hand, ignoring Stan's frown.
As the song comes to an end there's an uproar of clapping and whistling. The DJ's smooth voice rises over clamor, "Ladies and gentlemen, at this time we'd like to invite you to the dance floor to join Mr. & Mrs. Hanscom."
"Oh, Bill! Let's dance!" Audra winds her arms around Bill's shoulder, draping her body over him, smiling sweetly at him.
Bill groans, frowning but trailing behind Audra, who's dragging him by the hand to the dance floor.
Stan stands up, offering his hand to Patty. "Honey?"
"Oh, yes, please!" She jumps up, grasping Stan's hand.
A hand lands on Richie's inner thigh. "OH!" Richie jumps, spilling some of his drink. He finds Eddie smiling at him, the glow of the city and the bistro lights above the dance floor twinking in his eyes. "Yes?" Richie chuckles softly, "What can I do for you, baby?"
"Dance with me," Eddie states, letting his eyes do the real talking.
"Well, fuck, how can I say no to that?" He throws his napkin down on the table in a flourish, standing up to offer Eddie his hand. With an enormous grin, Eddie takes his hand before dashing, pulling Richie to the dance floor.
Richie grounds himself in place, fighting against Eddie's pull. "You going to be ok there, homeschool?"
Mike, fiddling with his camera, one of his most prized possessions, looks up at Richie in confusion. "Wha? Oh! Yeah, yeah. Don't worry about me, Rich. I'm gonna be the unofficial historian for this monumental event!" Raising his camera, he slings the strap around his neck, grinning widely, to make his way to the dance floor.
Eddie tugs Richie's arm again. Richie naturally follows him.
Eddie tugs Richie into his arms, shifting Richie's limbs as he wants them - Richie's left hand on Eddie's shoulder, his right held in Eddie's palm. Looking up into Richie's eyes, Eddie slides his left-hand down Richie's spine - earning him a gasp - to the small of Richie's back, digging his fingers in to tug Richie close so their bodies are flush against each other. With a soft sigh, Eddie starts swaying to the music.
Trying to hold back his tears, Richie whispers, "You gonna lead the whole night, sweetheart?"
"Yeah," Eddie breathes, his forehead resting on Richie's shoulder. "If you're willing to follow, that is?"
Richie's response is immediate. "I'd follow you anywhere, Eddie."
For a brief second, they stop swaying. Eddie keeps his head on Richie's shoulders, unmoving. Richie blinks and then they're moving again.
"Yeah?" Eddie asks.
"Yeah. Of course, baby. You know I would follow you into hell and back."
Leaning back, Eddie gulps deeply. Their bodies are still swaying, but slowly. Peering up at Richie with his big brown eyes, he says, "You know, I would follow you anywhere too."
"I know-"
Eddie cuts him off, violently shaking his head, pausing their small steps. Gripping Richie harder, his fingers dig into Richie's hand and hip, "No, no. I mean it, Rich. I would follow you…" gulping again, his eyes dance around, flicking at the air, searching, "I would follow you in that fucking house again!"
"Eddie-"
"I would live in it if it meant being with you. I would dust away all of those fucking cobwebs if I could hear your voice everyday. I would scrub the floors, re-wallpaper the rotting walls, pull out every single one of those fucking weeds-"
"No, no," Richie mumbles, remembering the last time Eddie attacked some weeds.
"- if it meant I could hold you everyday. If I could kiss you, love you…" He trails off, peering deeply into Richie's eyes.
"Eddie-"
"You don't believe me," Eddie states flatly, frowning.
"No, I do! Of course I do."
"You do...and you don't."
"I-" The words get stuck in Richie's throat because he knows Eddie's right. He knows what Eddie's saying is true - he knows Eddie loves him - but his brain doesn't, still thinking what's happening between them is somehow a trick. A figment of his imagination.
Eddie's frown deepens, seeing the look of self-realization on Richie's face.
"I know," Eddie stiffens his posture, jostling Richie's frame back into proper form to start them moving again, "that I'm not the most, uh, expressive person."
"That's not true. You're very loud and - uhh, expressive - in bed."
Eddie bits his lip, blushing. "I mean I'm not the most vocal about my feelings. It took me months to say 'I love you' for crying out loud. And you practically said it ten times a day."
"It's ok. You got there eventually. And you never needed to say it. I knew - I know you love me."
"I know. But you deserve to hear it. You deserve everything and so much more. I don't tell you enough how much I love you or how important you are to me. And I certainly don't tell you enough how devastatingly handsome you are, or how your big toothy grin makes me weak in the knees. I don't tell you enough how I love everything about you," Eddie squeezes Richie's hip, "and that I never, ever, want you to change."
Still following Eddie's lead, Richie grips Eddie tighter, his words having entered Richie's body and permanently embedded themselves in the deep hollow of Richie's stomach. "You don't-," Richie licks his lips, flustered, "you don't have to. You don't have to say those things."
"But I want to. And, I think you need to hear them. Even after we've been together for two and a half years, I know it's hard for you to believe this is real. That we're real."
Richie opens his mouth, but Eddie keeps going, determined to make his point.
"And that's ok. I know you know that I love you, but I also know how much you second guess yourself. Which is why I'm going to start telling you more how much I love you, how handsome and sexy you are, and how your eyes are the most brilliant blue right now. It makes me want to grab you by the neck and kiss you until someone fucking whistles at us."
A small wet laugh escapes Richie's lips. "Yeah?"
"Yeah," Eddie nods, already winding his hand, unfastened from Richie's, behind Richie's neck to pull him down into a searing kiss.
Richie moans into the kiss. He's pretty sure the music is drowning him out, but the idea of other dancers hearing him doesn't stop him from leaning into Eddie. Eddie pulls back after a second, but he doesn't go far, his mouth ghosting over Richie's flushed cheek. Eddie starts swaying again. Richie's hands mold to Eddie hips while Eddie lazily drapes his arms over Richie's shoulders.
Opening his brown eyes, Eddie whispers, "I love your eyes. Have I ever told you that?"
Richie shakes his head, lost in Eddie's eyes.
"Hmm," Eddie hums, "They're so fucking blue. Like a deep clear blue."
"Deep clear blue? That doesn't make sense."
"Yes it does. It's like when you look at a clean, clear deep lake. You know it's deep by the dark blue at the bottom, but at the top, at the surface, it's a lighter blue. You look through the light to see the dark. It's hypnotizing, trying to figure out where light blue ends and where the dark blue begins. Like your eyes. I get lost in your eyes."
"Fuck, Eddie." It comes out as a whine. Richie can't even begin to process all of the emotions he's feeling right now.
Eddie grins against Richie's cheek, knowing what he's doing to Richie. "I love this suit on you too. It really - uh - accentuates all of the right areas." Eddie pulls his arms back, gliding his fingers sensually over Richie's wide shoulders.
"Jesus fuck, Eddie," Richie grips Eddie's hips tighter, pulling his body back.
A laugh is knocked out of Eddie, his laugh getting soft as he leans up to whisper in Richie's ear, "Don't worry, Rich. Baby. I'll tell you everything I love about this suit - about your body - later tonight." Sliding one hand into the loose curls at the nape of Richie's neck, Eddie lightly tugs, sending shivers down Richie's spin.
Richie moans, definitely louder than before.
"But," Eddie trails, releasing Richie's burning curls, "I need to have a dance first."
Richie blinks, thrown off course. "Wha-?"
Before Richie can finish, Eddie steps back, out of Richie's white knuckled grip, to wave to the dancers next to them. "Excuse me?" He interrupts, stopping the dancers midstep. "May I step in?"
It takes two - three - hard blinks before Richie realizes the two dancers are Bev and Ben.
"Oh," Ben smiles, unlocking himself from Bev. "Of course."
Eddie peels himself away from Richie, his hand sliding down Richie's arm, before they're completely separated. He gazes back at Richie, seductively. "Save the last dance for me?"
"Yeah. Of course, babe."
Eddie grins, squeezing Richie's hand before he's twirling away with Bev, both of their laughter disappearing underneath the music.
Ben and Richie's gaze linger, following Ben & Bev through the crowd. A twirl of Bev's white lace train is the last they see of them.
"So, Haystack," Richie extends his hand out. "Dance with me?"
"Oh!" Ben jumps, turning to Richie. "Yeah, yeah. Sure - uuummm - how to do you-" He trails off, his hands flailing, flopping through the air.
"Oh my god, Ben." Richie takes Ben's jerking hands, placing one of Ben's hands in the "leader" position - or the male position, although Richie doesn't like to think of it that way. "We're just dancing. It's not rocket science."
Ben huffs a laugh, his body relaxing as Richie starts swaying side to side.
"Sooo," Richie drawls, "how does it feel?"
"How does what feel?" Ben cocks his head.
"What do you think I mean? Being married!"
"OH! Well, I've only been married for like -" taking a beat to gaze up at the night sky, Ben starts to take the lead, pulling Richie along with him, "-for like three hours."
"So? That's more than I've ever been married. So, tell me!"
"Okay, well-," Ben frowns in concentration, "it's kinda overwhelming to be honest."
"Like holy-shit-what-did-I-get-myself-into kinda overwhelming?"
"No, no," Ben shakes his head, groaning with frustration. "Not overwhelming in a bad way. Just like did-that-really-just-happen kind of way." His eyes are focused on their feet, as he searches for the right words. "It's just - you know, I've been in love with Bev since - well, since I first laid eyes on her."
"Awww. You're such a romantic, Benny-Boy."
A faint blush is exposed under the night sky. "Well, it's true. I've loved her so long that this feels so...surreal. I never thought it was possible that she would love me back. And now look at us! We're married! We have a life together! We have plans for the holidays and vacations! Real couple stuff! I just - I never thought it was possible!"
"Woah, woah there, Haystack! Breath, man."
"Sorry," Ben mumbles shyly, his step faltering.
"Hey, it's ok. I understand. I mean - I don't really understand - but, like, I can imagine."
"Yeah?" Ben smirks "Thinking about giving Eddie that ring?"
"Je-sus, Ben! Keep your voice down," Richie hisses, glancing side to side.
"Sorry, sorry," Ben chuckles, whispering.
"God, I tell Bev and now it's spreading like wildfire. Did you tell the others too?"
"What!? Of course not! She told me-"
"Cause you're her husband now?"
The reverberation from Ben's jaw, snapping shut, is so strong Richie feels it tingling down his arms.
"Yeah, no secrets between husband and wife, right? Don't worry about it, Haystack. I know you wouldn't tell. Eddie or any of the others. Although, now I feel like I should tell the others. I mean, like half of the Losers already know. They would be pissed if I didn't let them in on the secret."
"I think that's a good idea. Bill and Mike will appreciate it. Stan will just say it's about time."
Richie snorts.
Out of the crowd, a figure descends on them. "Oh, Benny," Mrs. Hanscom interrupts, grabbing Ben's arm. "Oh, sorry, Richie. I need to steal Benny. Ben, your aunt wants to give you and Bev your wedding gift and she's insisting she gives it to you in person."
"It's ok, Mrs. Hanscom. He's a popular man tonight," Richie says.
Grasping Ben arms, Mrs. Hanscom drags Ben through the crowd. Calling over people's head, Ben yells, "Thanks for the dance, Rich!"
"Anytime!" Richie calls back.
He looks around; he's surrounded by jerking, undulating bodies dancing to the more upbeat tempo that has taken over the dance floor. Scanning the faces around him, he doesn't see Eddie or any of the other Losers. He makes his way to the next best place - the cake table. Eating a slice of cake he spots Bill & Stan, sitting at their table.
"Hello, gentlemen." Richie takes a seat. "Where are the ladies?"
Both Stan and Bill point, bringing Richie's attention to Audra and Patty, who are holding each other's hands, swaying wildly, scream-singing to Madonna's Vogue.
"Wow," Richie deadpans, taking another bite of cake.
"It's a good thing Patty asked Audra to dance. I hate dancing." Bill frowns, shifting in his seat. "Audra just can't stop. Whenever we go to a wedding, she's always the last one on the dance floor."
Stan hums. "Patty too."
"I always bow out after two or three songs. Audra gets so annoyed too. Although she always finds a girlfriend to dance with her."
Stan hums again, but says nothing, just watching the girls.
A silence descends on the men - Richie continues devouring his cake, Bill quietly takes a sip of his beer, and Stan sits, people watching, silently categorizing people like birds.
"I bought a ring," Richie blurts, uncomfortable with the silence.
"What!?" Bill spews, spraying some beer into the night air.
"I bought a ring," Richie reiterates.
"A ring?" Bill shakes his head, confused.
Stan simply stares.
"Yes, Bill. A ring."
"Uuuuuhhh," Bill's eyes narrow, musing over Richie's words.
"Christ on a cracker, Bill." Richie huffs, annoyed, throwing down his fork. "Why do you think I would buy a ring!?"
Bill's eyes narrow down to slits, chewing his lip before his eyes fly open, his mouth dropping. "Oh! OOoooooohhhh."
"Congrat, Rich," Stan chimes in, smiling at Richie.
"Thanks, Stanny, but don't congratulate me just yet." Richie goes back eating. "I just got a ring. I haven't figured out the whole...asking part yet." Richie stabs his cake.
Stan shrugs, turning his gaze back to the ladies. "That's ok. Just the fact that you decided to get a ring is enough for now."
"Yeah," Bill adds, finally over his initial shock, "I carried around Audra's ring for about 8 months before I popped the question. I finally did it one night when we were just hanging out at home, finally free of any social engagements. And look at us now, we've been married-" Bill pauses, mentally crunching dates, "for thirteen years!"
"Thirteen years," Richie muses, looking back at Audra. He wonder's where he and Eddie will be in thirteen years.
"Patty and I will have been married for fifteen years next March," Stan beams.
"Holy shit! So young, Stan!" Bill laughs.
Stan shrugs, a faint blush staining his cheeks. "We knew we wanted to be together. Why wait?"
"Awww, that's so romantic, Stanny!" Richie coos, surprised at Stan's openness about his relationship.
"What? You don't think I can be romantic?" Stan mocks, feigning being offended.
"No, no. I'm sure you're a deep romantic at heart. Just never had the privilege to see it."
"Well, that's cause you're not my wife."
Richie laughs, half spewing frosting.
"Ah-ha!" Mike yells, jumping out of the tangled crowd. "Look at this sad group of Losers," Mike laughs, playing with his camera.
"Hey, fuck you, Mike. I'm having a great time with this cake." Richie jesters to his plate, suddenly realizing it's empty.
"Ok," Mike raises his camera, "Smile!"
The three men shuffle their chairs, leaning closer together.
"Cheeeese!" Richie yells through his teeth.
A few fast, bright lights flash, momentarily blinding the men.
"Oh, good, good," Mike whispers to himself, flicking through the photos. Satisfied with his work, he plunks down in a chair. "So, have each of you been dumped?"
Without a word, Stan points into the crowd.
"Ah," Mike grins, "That explains that. Where's Eddie?"
Richie shrugs. "The last time I saw him he was dancing with Bev. Maybe he dumped me and went to go find a cute sailor?"
Mike chokes out a small laugh. "Yeah right."
Another silence descends. Confused at the sudden silence, Richie turns to Stan and Bill, who are staring expectantly at him. Stan raises his eyebrows, nodding his head in Mike's direction.
Taking his cue, Richie turns, blurting out, "I bought a ring. For Eddie. No idea how I'm going to fucking ask him yet, but - yeah. There's that."
Mike stares, taken back at the sudden news. Blinking quickly, a smile spreads across his face. "Wow! Well, congrats, Rich! That's great news!"
"Gah! Why does everyone - Don't congratulate me! I mean - not yet! You guys are going to fucking jinks it!"
"Rich - and I fucking mean this - there is no universe in which Eddie would say no to you," Bill says, patting Rich on the back. "Don't worry about it too much."
"Yeah, that's easier said than done." Richie mumbles, wishing he had another piece of cake.
"Jesus!" someone yells, making everyone jump. "Was there a memo about meeting back up at the table?" Eddie laughs, walking around the table to take a seat next to Rich.
Flushed bright, Richie stiffens, wondering if Eddie heard any part of their conversation.
"Hey, babe."
"Hi," Eddie grins, leaning over to plant a kiss to Richie's cheek. "Did you leave any cake for me?" He jokes, looking down at Richie's empty plate.
"Sorry, sweetheart. All that sweet frosting is coating these sweet lips," Richie grins, leaning into Eddie, his anxiety already fading away.
"Annnd, on that note," Stan yells, jumping up from his chair. "I'm going to go ask Patty if she wants to dance before we get into port."
"I'm going to ask Audra too," Bill says, quickly jumping up to follow in Stan's wake.
"Oh, this is going to be a great opportunity for pictures," Mike jumps up, following the two men.
Richie watches them go, enjoying the fact he and Eddie can clear a table with their sweet talk. Fingers grasps Richie's chin, turning his focus back to Eddie.
"You were telling me about those sweet lips?" Eddie's gaze falls, locking onto Richie's lips.
"Yeah. Wanna taste, baby?"
Eddie laughs, smashing their lips together, winding his hand into Richie's hair. Richie moans into the kiss, shutting his eyes against the bright lights of the dance floor to focus all of his attention on Eddie. If he could taste, smell, feel, and hear Eddie all of the time, it would be a life well worth living in Richie's opinion.
Pulling back, Eddie whispers against Richie's open lips. "Fuck, Rich. It's a good thing we're going back to port. I can't wait to get you back to the hotel."
"Yeah?" Richie's pulse picks up.
"Yeah," Eddie curves around Richie, pressing his nose against Richie's cheek. "Going to show you how much I love you."
/
/
/
Author's Notes:
You know I just had to get a little bit of Richie and Bev in here. I think they have the sweetest friendship. More so than the other Losers I think Bev and Richie are blamed for things they aren't their fault. Richie gets into trouble a lot cause he can't keep himself still or his mouth shut. People can easily blame him for things cause everyone will believe he did it. And Bev, she comes from a poor household so she's had to become tough. She doesn't take shit from anyone, so she talks back. Again, when she gets blamed for things, people assume she did it. Scapegoats.
Research:
The card game Stan & MIke are playing is Gin Rummy: watch?v=Uy063oI9Gkk
Hornblower Cruises & Events. This is where I got the idea for Ben & Bev's wedding. chicago/our-fleet/spirit-of-chicago/
New Kids on the Block's I'll Be Loving You (Forever): watch?v=ZT_7UjCVELg
Madonna's Vogue: watch?v=GuJQSAiODqI