Eddie Kaspbrak was getting really tired of Richie's attitude. He was beyond pissed that his best friend had gotten beaten up for the third time in two months. He knew that Richie had a temper and a tendency to attract shady people, but this was annoying as hell. Especially since Richie knew Eddie hated driving in the snow. Having his license for just a few months before the first call from Richie. Eddie cared so much about Richie's lovely parents that he'd hide their son long enough to patch him up and hide his bruises before driving him home and helping to lie about what happened and where they had been. It made Eddie sick to think of how he'd been lying to such kind, compassionate people, but Richie's broken pleas were easy to cave in to for Eddie.
"Fuck you, Trashmouth, I was so close to finishing my winter essay," he muttered as he drove to the spot he knew Richie would be at by now. He always called from the phone booth near the forest and then hid in the Clubhouse. It was inconvenient for Eddie; Richie's newest skills included pissing people off and knowing Eddie would fix things for him. He didn't want to have to walk through the forest in his long jeans and winter coat, but he did it because he was worried about Richie. Stanley had called right after Richie and mentioned him being 'in big trouble this time' which didn't surprise Eddie; it was the fact that Stanley knew and contacted Eddie that scared the short teen more, as usually Stanley laughed at Richie's soreness and sour moods. He rushed to park his car by the side of the road before locking it and trudging into the snow. He found a trail quickly, showing that he was heading right where Richie had been.
"This damn cold snow...I swear I'll give you one more bruise to whine about, Richard Tozier. You couldn't have kept your mouth shut or stopped hanging around weed dealers?"
Eddie didn't have to go far; the place he parked was only a few minutes from the opening to their childhood hideaway. He saw that the snow was cleared from the hatch, so he yanked it open and fussed down as he started to line himself up with the ladder to descend.
"Richie, I swear to fucking gosh, if you didn't at least stop bleeding, I'll….I'll...what the hell is this?!"
Eddie couldn't have imagined this scene in a million years. Richie was in a goddamn suit; tie and tight, shiny shoes and all. He was standing right in front of the hammock, a heater going behind him and a pair of thermos bottles were letting off steam on the small crate nearby. Richie gave Eddie a sly smile and started towards him and if anyone had been watching, they would've seen Eddie's blush would the snow off of his face.
"Sorry to make you worry about me, Eds. You do so much for me...I made you a warm surprise to relax your uptight, bossy attitude."
Eddie didn't even have time to 'beep beep' him. His best friend...no, his lifelong crush, has made a winter getaway out of their childhood fortress and wore clothes that make him look breathtaking.
"R-rich…"
His tears mortified Richie, who stopped the smooth guy act and shuffled over quickly, placing gentle grips into Eddie's arms.
"Eddie, I'm so sorry. Fuck, don't cry! I thought...I won't do this ag-"
"IF YOU DON'T DO THIS AGAIN, I WILL LITERALLY DIE. I LOVE YOU TOO IDIOT!"
Eddie's moist, cold cheeks hit Richie's warm ones as he was yanked by the tie into a rough kiss. They both gave in to years of pining and dreaming, and for once, Eddie wasn't even mad that he had to drive in the snow.