Richie went home the next day with everyone else. Weeks passed. He tried to call Eddie but the calls went unanswered. He had even send a fruit basket, hoping Eddie would appreciate the joke. Richie talked to the other losers and they said that they had talked to Eddie but he wouldn't say much. He seemed very guarded and wouldn't talk about Richie or Myra.

Richie finally hired an assistant, which cut down his work weeks to a more reasonable 50 hours. He struggled to fill his spare time though, he started to see his LA friends more and joined a gym. He started dating a few guys. He tried not to think about what was missing.

He wondered if Eddie would ever talk to him again. He really tried not to think about that especially, it broke his heart. Even if Eddie wouldn't be his boyfriend he needed him as a friend, even if Myra came with him.

One day, Richie was sorting through his mail and saw a postcard from Bev. She was moving in with Ben in Nebraska (though Richie wouldn't be surprised if they ended up somewhere on the coast). She made a comment about how maybe it seemed too fast. Nah Bev, you two have been half together for years, it's about damn time. Richie was happy she was happy, even if thinking about them together made his stomach churn with jealousy.

Richie turned on some music, thinking about what to do with Stan. He'd convinced him to come out for a long weekend next week. It took a lot of wheeling and dealing and some (mostly) fake tears. Stan had never been to LA and Richie was excited to show him around.

Richie heard the doorbell. "Who the fuck?" It was 7 on a Friday, Richie was in his bathrobe and boxers. He wasn't expecting anyone. I hope it's not Mark. Mark was someone he's been on two dates with and was trying to convince himself to like. There was nothing wrong with Mark, it was just that he wasn't Eddie.

He tied his robe and went to the door. He looked through the peephole and didn't believe his eyes. It was Eddie.

Eddie. Eddie was here in LA. At his door. What the actual fuck.

He opened the door to a sheepish Eddie.

"What, were you just in the fucking neighborhood?" Richie meant it to sound like a joke but it came out like an accusation.

"I left Myra. And New York." He gestured to some bags near his feet. "I came here."

Richie's mouth hung open and he could only stare. "Wanna invite me in Trashmouth?" Eddie looked more nervous the longer Richie stared.

"Yea, yea, come in. Um, are you hungry? I just started taking some cooking classes, I'm not half bad, who knew? I'm finally eating out less...haha, didn't even mean that one. But we could order something if you want? Lots of good places nearby." Richie was babbling and he knew it. But Eddie was at his door, with bags. That implied he was staying. Here. In LA. With Richie.

"No, I'm not hungry." Eddie picked up his bags and brought them in. Among them Richie noticed a plastic bag with no label.

"Cool cool, cool...um, my guest room is this way. You can put your stuff in there." Richie wanted to touch him, just to prove that he was real. He restrained himself.

"Oh, okay," Eddie seemed disappointed.

"My guest room is clean. Promise. I mean, I wasn't expecting anyone but the sheets are clean."

"No, it's just. Look." Eddie turned to face Richie. "I'm sorry. I flipped out on you in Hawaii. And you were right. I needed to sort my shit out before I could be with you." Richie didn't respond, his mouth just hung open. "Trashmouth speechless what a sight." Eddie joked awkwardly.

"You fucking ignored me for weeks. After I did the right thing." Richie's anger roared, he'd been trying to ignore it but Eddie's apology brought it back.

"I did. You're right. You can be furious at me. You should be furious with me." Eddie played with the cuff of his shirt sleeve. "But here's the thing, your speech was the kick in the ass I needed. I needed to hear that, especially after hearing similar things from the others… so I went back to NY and broke up with Myra. I quit my job. I packed my shit and put most of it in a storage locker. I wanted to be free and clear...for you." Eddie fidgeted more.

"For me? What do you mean?" Richie needed him to spell it out. He was done with being half certain.

"Fuck Richie, you're going to make me say it?" Richie nodded. "I love you, you asshole. I have since we were kids. No one else makes me as happy-or angry- as you. You're it." Richie didn't say anything and Eddie paused, looking at him. "I get it, you're still pissed. That's fine. I'll stay in your guest room, or I can stay in a hotel. Whatever. Just promise to give me a chance eventually. Give us a chance." Richie was still frozen. Eddie sighed and picked up his bags. "Guest room was this way?" He gestured down the hall.

Eddie was several feet away before Richie processed everything he said. "Fuck! Wait! No! Stop!" He cried.

Eddie turned around, looking like he was trying not to cry. "Do you want me to find a hotel?"

"No, I don't want you in a fucking hotel. I want you in my bed right fucking next to me." He took a few steps and was next to Eddie. "I may not let you out for weeks."

Eddie smiled obviously relieved and said "Thank God, I hate hotels. Other people's sheets? Disgusting."

Richie leaned in to kiss him. He meant to start slow, so savor it, but Eddie had other ideas. He grasped Richie's hair and pulled him deeper into the kiss.

"Shit Eds, eager much?" Richie laughed into Eddie's mouth.

Eddie pulled back slightly and looked Richie in the eyes. "We've been playing cat and mouse for over a fucking decade. You'll excuse me for being done with the bullshit. I want you Richie, no more waiting."

"Well, in that case," Richie picked up Eddie by the thighs and Eddie immediately wrapped his legs around Richie. Eddie kissed him again, his hands around Richie's neck, playing with his hair. Richie pushed his tongue into Eddie's mouth, wanting to taste him. Coffee, chocolate and… Eddie. Delicious. Eddie returned the kiss with vigor, licking Richie mouth.

Richie groaned into Eddie's mouth and squeezed his ass, making Eddie yelp. "Been wanting to do that for years." He grinned at Eddie. Eddie responded by placing featherlight kisses on his neck then moving up to his ear and lightly sucking on it. Richie could feel Eddie's breath in his ear, making him even harder.

Richie carried Eddie to the bathroom, holding his ass the whole time. "I might never let your ass go, I need you to know that. It's mine now." Richie practically growled.

"Fine by me," Eddie whispered in Richie's ear, licking the curve again. Richie shuddered.

Once they made it to the bedroom he laid Eddie on the bed, taking the opportunity to look at him. His face was flush, his hair was tousled and his lips were red and bruised. "You look so fucking sexy." Richie couldn't believe this was happening.

Eddie grinned up at him, "Were you expecting someone? Dressed like that?"

Richie had forgotten he was wearing his bathrobe. "Oh, just some fine piece of ass I knew from high school."

Eddie laughed. "Anyone I know?"

"Maybe- short? Kinda likes to dick around with my feelings? Fucking gorgeous lips?"

Eddie pulled Richie on top of him. "Sounds like a catch," he whispered into Richie's ear. Richie trembled slightly. He started to kiss Eddie's neck, leaving sloppy kisses along the curve of his jaw and down to his shirt collar. He realized how many clothes Eddie had on.

"Too many clothes," He growled as he at up and pulled Eddie's shirt off, throwing it across the room. He looked at Eddie and rubbed his hands on Eddie's chest, lightly grazing his nipples. The contact made Eddie arch into Richie's hands.

"Mmm your hands are so warm, and big," He grinned.

"Oh God Eds, if you keep talking like that I won't last long." Eddie's smile melted into a moan as Richie took one of his nipples into his mouth, sucking on it. His other hand was ghosting over Eddie's pants, lightly cupping his erection.

Eddie's hands were on Richie's back, scratching him up and down. Eddie moved them and started to undo his pants. Richie grabbed his hand and brought it above the smaller man's head.

"Don't you fucking touch that. I'm taking all of this off. I've earned it." He undid the button and put his thumbs into Eddie's pants, pulling them down in one fluid motion.

Eddie's erection nearly hit Richie's face. Richie moved his hand back over it and cupped Eddie through the thin underwear. "I love that you wear briefs, leaves nothing to the imagination." He said as he gently moved his fingers up and down Eddie's erection, barely touching it. Eddie thrust into the contact, his eyes closed.

Richie stood and threw off his bathrobe then he leaned back over Eddie and started kissing him again, grinding their hips together. The two stayed like that for a moment, each enjoying the feeling of the other. Eddie's hands were back in Richie's hair, tugging gently, Richie's hands were on Eddie's hips and thighs, feeling him with abandon.

Eventually Eddie broke the kiss and looked at Richie, "I want you in me," he groaned, moving his hands to Richie's erection to enunciate his point. Richie's breath hitched and he saw spots.

"Are you sure? We don't have to." Richie would stop if Eddie wanted to. He might die from blue balls but he'd do it.

"I'm sure, I want to feel you," Eddie reached in Richie's boxers and grabbed him. Richie didn't think his erection could get any harder, it was nearly painful. Eddie slowly starting pumping Richie.

"If you keep doing that," Richie's breath hitched as Eddie's grip tightened, "we definitely won't be having sex." Eddie squeezed once more then released, moving his hands back to Richie's hair.

Richie broke contact to grab the lube from his nightstand and to pull off Eddie's boxers. Eddie's erection sprang free. Richie pulled Eddie's hips to the edge of the bed and knelt, running his hands over Eddie's thighs. He poured lube on finger and gently pressed it against Eddie's entrance. Eddie hissed as his finger went in. "Does that hurt?"

"No, it's just, different. Keep going."

Richie didn't need any more encouragement. He started to move his finger in and out as he felt Eddie relax. Eddie groaned as he got used to the contact. He took Eddie's erection in his mouth, gently licking his head. Eddie mewled softly. Those sounds would be the death of him.

Richie brought his mouth around Eddie and started moving up and down. Eddie was gripping the bedspread, moaning 'fucckk' slowly and deeply. Once Richie had a rhythm going he slipped another finger into Eddie, making him moan again. Richie started to move his mouth and fingers in sync, wanting to make this good for Eddie. Eddie started moving his hips, trying to get Richie to speed up.

"Richie, get fucking inside me." Eddie said through gritted teeth.

Richie removed his mouth with a gentle 'pop' and stood, putting a condom on his erection. He replaced his fingers with his erection and pushed into Eddie, nearly cuming on the first thrust. He paused, making sure Eddie was okay and then started to move. He grabbed Eddie's leg and put it on his shoulder, trying to get a better angle. Eddie moaned loudly and Richie grabbed his erection again, pumping him quickly. The better angle worked and he hit the spot inside Eddie, making him moan once more as he came over Richie's hand.

Richie thrust once more and felt himself cum too, seizing with his own orgasm.

Richie pulled out and threw away the condom as he leaned over to kiss Eddie. He moved to lay next to him, his arm around the smaller man.

"I think I'll like LA." Eddie said as he cuddled next to Richie, playing with Richie's chest hair.

"Oh, you'll love it." Richie kissed the top of Eddie's head. "I've got so much to show you."

"More than I just saw?" He joked.

"Definitely." He propped himself up on his elbow. "Eddie Spaghetti, I've got so much to show you, now that you're here." Eddie smiled and kissed him. The two laid tangled together, legs and arms draped over one another.

After a few minutes Richie asked, "Hey Eds, what was in the bag you brought?" It didn't look like part of his luggage.

"Oh, I bought a nurse's outfit. You seemed so excited about it." Eddie looked at Richie and grinned.

"You'll be the death of me Eddie Spaghetti," Richie said, kissing him again.