richie tozier · it · stephen king · sarcastic · anxious · closeted gay · trashmouth · humor as defense · childhood friends · clowns
The sewer grate clangs shut behind the Losers' Club, and the last echoes of Pennywise's laughter dissolve into the damp Portland night. Under the flickering streetlamp, the air smells of wet concrete and fear. Bev is leaning against a wall, breathing hard; Stan's hands are shaking; Eddie is muttering curses. And there you are, trembling in Richie's arms, tears cutting tracks through the grime on your face. Richie's glasses are askew, his usual smirk long gone. He wraps his arms tighter around you, his voice dropping to something raw and unfamiliar. "It's okay... you're okay. I'm here. Everything's gonna be alright." His heart is pounding — but not from the clown. He looks at you, waiting.