"I cannot believe I let you talk me into this." Richie hissed out.
"Hey. It's the only way. I can't exactly afford a car, not that I'd use it much anyway. We definitely ain't walking, and I know your wings are still healing, plus, I don't really want you to have to carry my weight. So, here's the next option. Calm down, we'll only be in the air for about 2 hours. We just sit back and relax." Eddie explained.
Richie seemed to barely pay attention to him.
He'd taken Eddie's talk about planes as a joke, but now that they were actually in one...
'Alright, if all passengers would please take their seats as we prepare to take flight. You will find a manual in a compartment next to you. You may read over it to prepare for any possible mishaps. My name is Jenny and thank you for choosing American Airlines.'
A red light turned on at the front of the plane, indicating for others to stay seated.
Richie glanced over at Eddie when he heard the sound of ruffling paper.
He had found the manual, and was casually reading through it as though it were a magazine.
He felt the plane vibrate slightly, before they were moving.
He looked outside the window, watching as buildings and lights passed by.
Soon, the road they were on was narrowing, and it looked as though they would go down, even if they weren't in the air already.
Richie jumped when he felt a hand rest on his.
He spun around, prepared to tell whoever it was not to touch him.
However, he was only met with Eddie's eyes, features calm, a small smile on his face.
Richie glanced down at their intertwined hands.
"Relax. Close your eyes. You're fine." Eddie spoke in a soft voice.
Richie let out a deep breath as he felt as though gravity was disappearing.
They were flying further into the air now.
He sighed, before closing his eyes, closing his hand around Eddie's.
Damn this world and everything in it.
He remained in this position, even when there was a light beep sound, along with a voice.
'Hello, this is your flight captain speaking. We are now in the air, if you would like to stretch your legs or use the restroom, you may do so now. Please remember to turn off all electronics. The flight attendants will be around soon to provide snacks and other necessities. I hope you enjoy your flight. Thank you.'
The voice faded away again.
"Well, we're up in the air now. I think I'll-" Eddie began, starting to stand.
Richie simply tightened his hold on the demons' hand.
Whether it was fear or simply that he didn't want him sneaking around, he didn't know.
Eddie stared down at their hands, before trailing up to his eyes.
Richie should have let go.
He was sure Eddie would never let him hear the end of this.
He was tired of making himself look vulnerable in front of him.
A small smile crossed Eddie's face before he slowly sat back down next to him.
Richie took a deep breath, turning his focus to the ceiling of the plane, any other place that Eddie.
Eddie's hand closed around his, and for the entire flight, he never left.
"Richie. Psst, Rich, wake up." Eddie gently tapped his shoulder.
Damn. When he was out, he was out.
"Hey. Wake up sleepy, or the plane will leave again." Eddie continued.
Finally, he began to stir, opening his eyes.
He shuffled before sitting up straight, a look of pain immediately crossing his face.
"Yeah, I know, you're probably in pain. I'll look at the injuries when we get out of here and find a hotel for the night." Eddie said.
He really pitied him.
Whether Richie liked it or not.
He helped Richie onto his feet and they left the plane.
Eddie found his backpack in the midst of the suitcases before guiding them out into the cool evening.
Richie was nearly asleep again.
Finally, Eddie found a decent hotel, paying for a room and nearly carrying Richie to the room.
When they walked in, Eddie carefully set Richie down on the bed.
Almost immediately, his head found the pillow and was asleep in seconds.
That wasn't what Eddie had planned...
He wanted to at least look over his injuries before he rested, but...
Fuck it.
He sighed, making his way to the other bed.
He'd be lying if he said he wasn't tired too.
Just for a couple hours.
When Richie awoke again, he shot up into a sitting position, nearly panicking from the new surroundings.
"Hey, calm down. I didn't think you'd wake up so soon. You sleep like a dead person sometimes." Eddie sounded next to him, setting down a Styrofoam box.
Richie stared down at the item, "What's this?"
"Well, there wasn't any place that was serving breakfast, so... you're stuck with grilled cheese." Eddie said.
Richie gave him a look, before grabbing the box, opening it with curiosity.
"It's pretty good, actually. If we moved somewhere permanent, I'd definitely make some, home fresh." Eddie ranted.
Richie grabbed one half of the sandwich before taking a bite.
It wasn't the sugary flavor he remembered, but it wasn't bad.
Eddie sat down next to him, stealing a couple of the fries every now and then.
When he was finished, Eddie took the box, placing it into the trash before standing in front of him.
"Alright. Take your shirt off."
Richie gave him an incredulous look, almost as if he'd just slapped him.
"I need to check your wounds and clean them. Come on." Eddie continued.
Richie glared at him, before scoffing, "You know, I'm getting tired of you telling me what to do."
He stood, nonetheless, unbuttoning his shirt before placing it onto the bed.
"Turn around." Eddie motioned.
Richie rolled his eyes, but obeyed.
Eddie tried so damn hard not to get too distracted.
Yes, he'd treated him the past few days, but he'd never had him this... exposed before.
His back was sprinkled with scars, but none were fresh or bleeding, thank goodness.
There was a cut on both sides of Richie's shoulder blades, the length ran about a foot long.
It wasn't bleeding, but was a nasty red.
This must have been where his wings were.
"Does this hurt?" Eddie asked, slowly reaching up to rest his hand on his left shoulder.
Richie spun around almost instantly, having Eddie pinned to the wall, one hand at his throat.
Eddie was taken by surprise, but answered with ease, "I'll take that as a yes."
Richie glared at him, "Do. Not. Touch."
One of Eddie's hands shot up to Richie's arm when his grip tightened slightly.
"Okay! Okay! I won't. Will you let me go now? Please!" Eddie felt his heart racing.
Shit.
Richie hesitated for a few seconds.
It was too long.
"Come on asshole, let go of me!" Eddie's voice grew more frantic, wrestling with the angels' arm.
His breath was beginning to leave him, and it wasn't from Richie's hand.
He could feel tears prickling at his eyes.
This seemed to grab Richie's attention, and he withdrew, taking a couple steps back.
Eddie took a breath of relief, but it didn't help.
His mind was reeling with too many unwanted memories.
He rested his hand against the table next to the bed.
All tension from Richie began to wither away, replaced by curiosity.
"... Eddie?"
Eddie held a hand out to Richie, cautioning him to stay back, "I'm fine, I'm fine, just-"
He was hyperventilating, and there never seemed to be enough air for him.
"Are you... Okay?" Richie asked.
Eddie nodded his head, which gradually turned into a shake from side to side.
"Here. Sit down." Richie wrapped his arms around him, and they sat down on the bed.
Eddie obeyed, but it didn't help any.
Richie was looking him over, worry clear on his face.
The more the air left him, the more desperately he tried to inhale, his breath turning into a wheeze.
"Eddie... Eds! Breathe!" He demanded, wrapping his arms around his shoulder, bringing him close.
Eddie tried, and tried, but to no avail.
"Listen to me. Calm down. I-I'm not mad at you. I'm sorry for attacking you, just... breathe. Inhale..." Richie instructed.
It took a while, but Eddie managed a weak inhale.
"Okay, good, now exhale." Richie continued.
The instructions and actions went on for a good five minutes before air finally returned to him.
Fuck. He hadn't had one of these in years.
"Are you okay?" Richie's arms were still around him, and he could feel his breath against his face.
It nearly made him shiver.
He nodded weakly. "Y-yeah. I'm fine now."
"What happened? I mean, yes I was probably overreacting, but... It seemed to do more to you. Why couldn't you breathe? Why-"
"Let's just say..." Eddie broke him off, "I've had one too many experiences of being pinned against the wall like that. The wall, or the floor. Bad memories, y'know?"
Richie was quiet for a few seconds.
"Oh..." He finally managed in a whisper, "Shit. I'm sorry."
"No. I... probably deserved it. I didn't mean-"
"No. It wasn't an excuse. I should have reacted like that. It's just... they're sensitive." Richie said.
"Noted." Eddie said, smiling weakly.
It was silent for a long time, Eddie was surprised Richie still had a hold of him.
His body was warm. Bare, and warm.
However, before he could let himself get more comfortable.
"Ahem. Well. That happened." He managed to get himself untangled from Richie's arms, "H-how about you take a shower. We can check your wounds in the morning."
Richie stared up at him in silence.
He obviously wanted to say more, but kept silent.
Finally, he stood, and Eddie could feel himself uncontrollably tense up, slowly making distance between them.
Richie slowly passed him, giving him a look of remorse, before soon disappearing into the bathroom.
Eddie waited for a few minutes, listening to the water start.
He moved back until he sat down onto the other bed, eyes still glued to the door.
What... the fuck just happened?
He accepted the fact that he probably deserved what he got, but... He never thought something so little would have him make such a big deal about it.
Richie had gone from angry with him, to concern and worried... even caring.
He expressed so much emotion, Eddie never knew what to make of them.
He just knew that it kept him drawn to the angel.
Eddie sighed, letting his head fall back onto the pillow.
What the fuck was he getting himself into?