Richie Tozier didn't exactly know when he caught feelings for Eddie Kaspbrak. He tried to think it over in his mind while he was on his way to Eddie's house, but couldn't put an exact date or time on it. He also tried to pretend he never had those feelings in the first place. 

I've liked him or a long fucking time. He thought. Nevertheless, he couldn't tell Eddie because of the constant thought of risking their long lasting friendship. After all, they have been best friends for longer than he could remember. However, the thought of telling Eddie ate away at him every time he saw that cute smile and those adorable freckles. Stop being weird, Richie. He scolded himself.

He was on his way to Eddie's house because Eddie invited him over that day. He usually never hung out at Eddie's house because of his mom (that he didn't care for but still made jokes about loving her to get a reaction out of Eddie), but his mom wasn't home then because she had work, so it was a perfect opportunity for him to come over and hang out.

He got off his bike and set it onto the grass in front of his house, making sure that his mom's car wasn't there before he did so. Then, he trudged up the steps to his front door and knocked, waiting patiently for Eddie to answer. A few moments later, Eddie finally opened the door.

"What took you so damn long?" Richie practically whined. "Were you taking a shit or something?"

"Fuck off, Richie," Eddie snapped back. "I had to make sure it wasn't my mom, you dipshit."

"Why? Were you tickling your pickle or something?"Richie teased, nudging Eddie in the arm.

"No, you asshole! I was getting ready for you."

"As expected," Richie said. Eddie just rolled his eyes. They walked from the entryway, past the living room and kitchen, and into Eddie's room. Eddie's room was how anyone would expect it to be: a ventilator for his asthma, drawers filled with pills (or gazebos as Eddie called them) and inhalers, and a closet with fanny packs, polo shirts, shorts, and jeans dangling from hangers. But most importantly, there were comics. Stacks and stacks of beautiful comics that the boys indulged in whenever they had time. They would often trade them back and forth, and pick up a few at the drug store whenever Eddie had to pick up his prescription. It was basically a tradition between the two best friends.

"By the way," Eddie said while flipping through a comic. "Bill, Stan, and Bev are coming over and we were thinking about heading to the Quarry."

Richie's heart sank a little bit. He thought it was just going to be him and Eddie. "Sounds good to me. I bet I'll beat you there, Eds."

"You fucknut, you couldn't beat me if you tried." Eddie spat playfully but fiercely at the same time, smiling while doing so.

This was the type of playful banter Richie lived for. He smiled too. "Wanna make a bet, Dr. K? I bet you'll get an asthma attack before you even reach the Quarry!"

"Shut the fuck up, Rich." Eddie glared as he flipped Richie off. Richie wasn't bothered by this, he just laughed. Suddenly the two heard a knock on the door and Eddie jumped to his feet frantically. "Oh shit, that could be my mom."

"Or it's Bill, Stan, and Bev. You said they were coming over, dumbass. Maybe you have dementia!" Richie dramatically gasped as he pressed both his hands against his cheeks, trying to act shocked.

"Oh, shut it, Richie." Eddie called as he left his room to see who was at the door.