Those Who Love | Reddie AU

Twenty-Six - Those Who Forgive

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Forgive: stop feeling angry or resentful towards (someone) for an offence, flaw, or mistake.
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They made their way back into the gym after a while of talking, Richie's hand in Eddie's firmly. Richie couldn't stop gawking at Eddie all dressed up, and had to keep constantly remind himself that Eddie was his again. Everything was going to be okay. He could breathe.

"Let's go find a table," Bill suggested. "I'm guessing none of you want to dance." He chuckled.

Everybody wrinkled their nose, "Probably not for the best." Mike responded.

"We all know how it went last year when Stan tried to dance to impress Bill," Beverley burst out laughing, having to clutch her side. She turned to Richie, "He did the robot, by the way. Like, totally seriously. He thought everybody else was doing it too."

Richie joined in the laughter, "I wish I could've seen that." Richie grinned brightly when he knew there would be other memories that he would be involved in the future.

They sat at a table near the back, and instantly Stan, Ben and Eddie insisted they'd go get drinks for the others.

"Wow what gentlemen," Beverley mocked teasingly. "I might just keep you, Ben." She turned to Ben, making direct eye contact causing him to blush.

Richie smiled from ear to ear for what seemed like the hundredth time last night when he looked up to Eddie looking fondly down at him.

"You look handsome." Richie mouthed to him as Eddie turned to walk away.

Eddie's eyes twinkled, "I've missed you." He mouthed back.

-

Later that night, it was coming to the end of the dance and Richie and his friends had just left the gym to head home.

"Wanna come back to mine for a bit?" Eddie quizzed him. "We probably should still talk even though everything is fine."

Richie took his hand out of Eddie's and instead slung out around Eddie's shoulders, fitting perfectly like a puzzle piece from the height difference, "Lead the way." He mumbled; even though he already knew the way back.

They said their goodbyes to the others when they approached Eddie's, and Richie quickly sent Eleanor a text to let her know where he'd be and what time he'd be home.

Eddie took out his key with a cartoon bowl of spaghetti on the key ring, and unlocked the door, "My mum isn't home, so she won't mind if you stay a little later."

Richie didn't respond as Eddie then opened the door and stepped inside the warmth of the living room, closing it quickly to not let any of the heat out.

"You want anything to drink?" Eddie asked him.

Richie ignored him and shuffled closer to Eddie and placed a delicate kiss on his forehead, before pulling him into an embrace again. He didn't think he'd ever let go of this boy. 

"I'm alright for the moment, Eddie Spaghetti."

"Spaghetti?"

"Like your key chain!"

"Shut up, Richie!"

-

An hour had passed and both of the boys had been lazily tangled together on the sofa watching Netflix, carefully sipping at their hot chocolates Eddie had made for them not too long ago.

"Hey, I have a question." Richie said nervously.

Eddie turned around his head slightly to look him in the eyes, "Okay, go ahead."

"Why did you forgive me?" Richie asked. "Like a few hours ago you hated me."

Eddie sighed, tucking a piece of fallen hair out of Richie's eyes, "I looked at it from your point of view. I didn't realise it would be so hard for you and I hardly gave you chances to explain. Even though I am still a little hurt, I'm okay, now that I have you back." He told him.

Richie grinned, "Thank you. And I did mean it, I'm sorry for hurting you and everything else. I wish I just told you the truth from the start. I'll do anything to make it up to you."

Eddie raised an eyebrow, "Anything?" He smirked, making Richie nod. "Okay, in that case, tell Stan and Bill to stop making out at lunch. Shits disgusting when I'm trying to eat my food."

Richie laughed heartily, "Why me? Besides, you're scarier than me. You may be small but you're fiery when you want to be."

Eddie punched his shoulder playfully, but Richie could tell he felt somewhat embarrassed by Richie's comment, "I'm sorry I never gave you the chance to explain." He muttered.

"Don't be," Richie replied, holding Eddie tighter if it was even physically possible. "It's in the past."

"Yeah." Eddie just whispered, a tooth-eating grin on his face. All both boys could feel were pure happiness by being with the one who they love again.

"This might be a bad time to bring it up, but Eleanor showed the headteacher the video and they're all facing expulsion. Forever. So we wouldn't have to worry about them anymore, not at school anyways." Richie told him.

Eddie nodded, "Does that mean you're staying?" He whispered.

Richie smiled and grazed his hand over Eddie's cheekbone affectionally, "I'm really not sure. My parents are going to let me know in a few days."

"Right."

Richie broke the silence after a few moments, "But like just in case, and this might be weird, I know. And you don't have to, but I'm going to ask you anyways. In the summer, do you want to come back to my home country with me? Or not even the summer, whenever you'd like! I'll give you a tour of the palace and-"

"Richie, stop rambling," Eddie interrupted him. "Of course, I would love to."

Richie grinned again and joined their lips together.

And in that moment, it felt like they were unstoppable.

One more chapter left!!
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