Graduation day had flown by, Richie couldn't believe he had actually made it this far. He was proud of himself and his friends. They had overcome a lot, and they were stronger for it. The future was laid out in front of them, and they were ready to take this next step. He was ready to take this next step.
After the ceremony, Richie had made a quick stop at the home, he now shared with Stan and his family, to grab his bags. Once the beat up old pickup truck he worked hard to buy, was loaded and ready, he headed to Eddies house, a smile on his face. This was the next step to forever.
In true Trashmouth fashion, he laid his hand on the horn, letting the obnoxious sound blare through the air until he saw the annoyed face of his boyfriend. He let up on the horn, as he opened the door. "You're driving, Spagheds, I'm exhausted and I doubt you want the driver to fall asleep at the wheel." He teased, grabbing the bags out of Eddies hands.
Much to Eddies dismay, Richie tossed his luggage carelessly in the bed of the truck. He chewed on his lip, climbing into the drivers seat with a small sigh. "You know, 'Chee, you can just admit you're too lazy to drive. I won't hold it against you."
"You can hold something against me." Richie quipped back as he climbed into the passengers seat, planting a quick kiss on Eddies cheek. "Let's get outta here, Eds. I want to be alone with you." Richie said softly, pulling the map out of his glove compartment. "Just head to the edge of town and keep going straight. The cabin is about ten miles out of town."
And with that, they were off. They spent most of the trip laughing and talking with one another. It was the best time of their lives, time spent free and safe.
That was until Eddie had taken his eyes off the road for a split second. A split second was all it took for them to drive head on into another car, causing them to flip several times before finally coming to a stop. Their luggage was strewn all about the road, surrounded by broken glass and drops of blood. The smell of gas and smoke filled the air, and soon that smell alone was enough to bring Eddie back to consciousness.
His vision was hazy, he was confused. Where was he? He was just driving, right? Why did his head hurt so bad? He couldn't quite comprehend what was happening as he looked around the truck, panic starting to fill his chest as he realized what happened. Fear clouded his mind when he saw the state Richie was in.
The raven haired boy was paler than usual, the crimson staining his skin made him look as white as paper. Eddie choked back a sob when he saw a shard of the windshield in his boyfriends chest. "R-Richie... Honey?" He whispered, desperately trying to get his seat belt off. He needed to help Richie. He needed to save Richie. He couldn't lose Richie.
"Richie... open your eyes... please!" Eddie begged, his panic filled voice raising. He saw the rise and fall of Richies chest, he knew that Richie was still alive, but he wasn't sure how much longer that would last if he didn't get Richie help. "Richard Tozier! Wake the fuck up! You can't leave me!" Eddie sounded desperate at this point, he was pleading for at least one more chance to see the love of his life's eyes.
Sobs filled the truck as Eddie begged and pleaded to anyone and everyone for Richie to wake up and for all of this to just be some sick cosmic joke. A noise caught his attention, it was a weak groan coming from the pale pink lips of the taller male. "E-Eds...?" He mumbled softly, wheezing with each breath. "A...Are you okay?" He had managed to gasp it out, the pain evident in his voice.
Eddie couldn't help but laugh. Of course Richie, who was worse off, would be more concerned with the hypochondriacs health. It was absurd how Richie could care so little for himself and yet care so much for those around him.
Richie knew he didn't have much time left, every single breath caused another wave of agony to course through him. He just couldn't let go. Not without telling Eddie how much he loved him. In a perfect world, he would have all the time he needed. But this wasn't a perfect world, far from it actually. Funny how just one split second can rip away a future he worked so hard to build.
But, if it had to end, then Richie was glad he was at least granted the mercy to spend his last little bit of time on this earth with the man he loved. "Eddie... there's a ring... my pocket..." He let out a trembling breath, trying to hold back his tears. "I... I wanted to do this under... b-better circumstances, but... will you marry me Eddie? I can't d- I can't leave without knowing..." It was like his heart had been ripped from his chest, he couldn't tell what was worse, the physical pain, or the pain of knowing this was going to be the last chance he had to be happy with Edward Kaspbrak.
Eddie couldn't hold back his tears any longer. He let them flow freely as he nodded, still trying desperately to reach Richie. "Of course I'll marry you, asshole... and it's going to be an amazing wedding. You're going to make it, we're going to get married and adopt a Pomeranian or two. We'll grow old together, live long enough to share our love with the world." He was sobbing freely now, knowing that Richie realistically wouldn't make it.
He knew. But he couldn't accept it. He couldn't lose him now, not when their future was just within their grasp. "I love you and you're going to make it, Richie! I'm not ready for you to let go..." His pleads were falling on dead ears. The life was fading from Richie's eyes, and fast.
In his final moments, Richie Tozier smiled. He would never forget the way Eddie's lips felt against his, or the way his heart started pounding the second they made contact. He could never forget how Eddie pulled him closer, clinging to the front of his shirt for dear life. And try as he might, he would never be able to forget the way Eddie pulled him in for another kiss right after. Those feelings would forever be burned into Richie's memory, and he didn't want it any other way. "I love you, Eds..."
And he slipped away. No longer could he hear Eddie screaming his name, sobbing as he pleaded for him to hang on. No longer could he feel the pain in his body. All he felt now was numb as he drifted into the eternal sleep.
Eddie screamed his throat raw, sobbed until all that was left was short, quick gasps. This couldn't be the end, not now. He wasn't ready to let go. "Please don't leave me, 'Chee... All I have is you..." He knew, deep down he knew, it was too late. He had watched Richie's once lively spirit slip away. And in that moment, all he wanted was to slip away into nothing with him.
But he heard the sirens approaching, he cursed God for taking Richie away from him just before help could come. He cursed God for not letting him join Richie in death. He cursed himself for not being able to save Richie, when just hours ago they were on their way to the perfect weekend. Just hours ago the love of his life was alive and laughing right next to him.
All Eddie could feel now was numb.