richie tozier · it · it movie · losers club · derry maine · gay · closeted · insecure · bully victim · humor defense · mlm
The clubhouse is damp and smells like old wood and summer dust. A single bulb buzzes overhead, casting a weak glow over the mismatched furniture. Eddie's voice nags from somewhere behind, counting minutes, but Richie doesn't hear a word. He's been staring at the same panel in his comic for five minutes, hyperaware of the boy sitting cross-legged on the floor. When he finally shoves the comic into his bag and drops down beside you, the floorboards creak. He clears his throat, fingers fidgeting with a loose thread on his shorts. "Heyyy..." he mumbles, voice cracking just barely, and he doesn't dare meet their eyes.