[ He raises a brow at Eddie's reaction, thinking he's just embarrassed. That has to be it... right? Richie needs to keep it casual, too. Or joke about it since that's his go-to. Joke and deflect. ]
Wait, you're gonna wear those to a gym? Eddie, you slut.
[ But he cracks up laughing at the last bit, not able to land the delivery at all. ]
[ Eddie pulls a face, throwing his hands up before he returns to his search for a halfway-decent frying pan and mixing bowl. ]
What else am I gonna wear?
[ Cleaning out the already-clean cooking utensils, yep. Sorry he doesn't trust ya, babe. ]
Want is a strong word, okay. It's just — an open invitation. [ shrugging, even though his words are too rapid-fire to be Chill. ] You're hosting me, dickwad, so I'm keeping you in the loop. [ and hoping he wears shorts... a tank top... Eddie begins the most precise chopping of vegetables for an omelette that the west coast has ever seen. Finally, with his blush subsiding, he looks askance at Richie. ] And Andy gave me the recommendations, so if I get serial-murdered for investigating solo, [ an accusatory point ] that's on you.
[ Richie watches all this in silence, listens to how fast the other's words are coming out, hiding his smirk behind his coffee mug because once again it's too similar to when they were kids.
He's also fairly impressed with the way Eddie cuts his veg. Damn. ]
So... "want" is the correct word. You want me there because you don't want to get murdered.
[ It's actually very generous of Richie to be annoying right now, when Eddie would like very much to be bothered by him and not attracted to him. ]
Most people don't want to get murdered. [ huffs ] I for one, have always wanted to not be murdered, like, actively. I kinda forgot how much I like not being murdered, when we kept almost getting murdered in Derry, but I'm really fucking into it, Rich.
[ The diced veg goes into different, tiny bowls. Maybe more bowls than Richie thought he owned. ]
And if you also want that, think about me holding this knife before you call my activewear booty shorts again.
[ That's actually what Richie is thinking as he watches Eds continue to work his "magic" with the knife. Where the fuck did all those bowls come from? But he ultimately rolls his eyes at the "threat" (as if it could be one).
He moves in, using two long fingers to push the knife back down to the cutting board he also didn't remember he had, his tone dry, ]
Yeah, I was in Derry, too. After all that shit, I ain't scared of you with a knife. Try wearing some sweats or yoga pants like everyone else.
[ He backs away and takes a longer swallow of his coffee before setting it on the counter and walking out of the kitchen. ]
I'm taking a shower and going to bed. Try not to set the smoke alarm off.
[ Eddie's almost over it (the cuddling, the booty shorts, Richie's terrible arms), when Richie slides into his space. His wide eyes fixate on Richie's fingers, barely registering his words. Instead, he thinks about how they encircled his wrist beneath Derry and threaded together with his own in the motel. You're spiralling, Eds. Yeah, that's what this is.
Only he finds himself suddenly bereft, as Richie moves away, unlikely to return for the rest of the day. They're not kids anymore, Eddie reminds himself, so he can't just follow — or jump into his bed like it's that fucking hammock in the Losers' clubhouse. ]
Fuck off, man. [ He's a great cook!! A beat. Then, he calls over his shoulder just before the door shuts — ] There'll be leftovers in the fridge later, if you're not up.
[ And then takes the shower he has needed for a few hours. Hangovers always make him feel like shit all over, no matter how lazy he wanted to act. And while he knows he can handle his booze better than most, he also knows he's getting too old to drink so much every other night. He has his memories back, he has his family back. There's no reason to keep looking for the bottom of a bottle.
It's an easy "vow" to make to himself as he crawls into bed, nothing but sweatpants on. He doesn't really care what else Eddie does in the apartment. He can clean and organize it however he wants. As long as it helps him to stay, Richie doesn't care. ]
THE THIRSTIEST
Wait, you're gonna wear those to a gym? Eddie, you slut.
[ But he cracks up laughing at the last bit, not able to land the delivery at all. ]
Why would you want me at a gym anyway?
SWEATS
What else am I gonna wear?
[ Cleaning out the already-clean cooking utensils, yep. Sorry he doesn't trust ya, babe. ]
Want is a strong word, okay. It's just — an open invitation. [ shrugging, even though his words are too rapid-fire to be Chill. ] You're hosting me, dickwad, so I'm keeping you in the loop. [ and hoping he wears shorts... a tank top... Eddie begins the most precise chopping of vegetables for an omelette that the west coast has ever seen. Finally, with his blush subsiding, he looks askance at Richie. ] And Andy gave me the recommendations, so if I get serial-murdered for investigating solo, [ an accusatory point ] that's on you.
no subject
He's also fairly impressed with the way Eddie cuts his veg. Damn. ]
So... "want" is the correct word. You want me there because you don't want to get murdered.
[ A pause for dramatic effect: ]
In your booty shorts.
no subject
Most people don't want to get murdered. [ huffs ] I for one, have always wanted to not be murdered, like, actively. I kinda forgot how much I like not being murdered, when we kept almost getting murdered in Derry, but I'm really fucking into it, Rich.
[ The diced veg goes into different, tiny bowls. Maybe more bowls than Richie thought he owned. ]
And if you also want that, think about me holding this knife before you call my activewear booty shorts again.
no subject
He moves in, using two long fingers to push the knife back down to the cutting board he also didn't remember he had, his tone dry, ]
Yeah, I was in Derry, too. After all that shit, I ain't scared of you with a knife. Try wearing some sweats or yoga pants like everyone else.
[ He backs away and takes a longer swallow of his coffee before setting it on the counter and walking out of the kitchen. ]
I'm taking a shower and going to bed. Try not to set the smoke alarm off.
no subject
Only he finds himself suddenly bereft, as Richie moves away, unlikely to return for the rest of the day. They're not kids anymore, Eddie reminds himself, so he can't just follow — or jump into his bed like it's that fucking hammock in the Losers' clubhouse. ]
Fuck off, man. [ He's a great cook!! A beat. Then, he calls over his shoulder just before the door shuts — ] There'll be leftovers in the fridge later, if you're not up.
[ When he makes lunch or dinner or whatever. ]
no subject
Thanks, Whole Foods.
[ And then takes the shower he has needed for a few hours. Hangovers always make him feel like shit all over, no matter how lazy he wanted to act. And while he knows he can handle his booze better than most, he also knows he's getting too old to drink so much every other night. He has his memories back, he has his family back. There's no reason to keep looking for the bottom of a bottle.
It's an easy "vow" to make to himself as he crawls into bed, nothing but sweatpants on. He doesn't really care what else Eddie does in the apartment. He can clean and organize it however he wants. As long as it helps him to stay, Richie doesn't care. ]