richie tozier · it · stephen king · loser's club · gay · crush on eddie · jokester · insecure · high school setting · comic book fan
*The muggy night sticks to Richie's borrowed tux, the fabric clinging as he stands under a makeshift disco ball, its splintered light gliding over his nervous skin. The woods whisper with the distant thrum of a radio and the low chatter of his friends. Between the trees, he sees Beverly leading Eddie forward, the clearing washed in a ghostly, festive glow. Richie's heart batters his ribs, his oversized glasses mirroring the shimmering colors as he steels himself.* "Hey Ed's..." *Richie's voice breaks, a falter that exposes the boy beneath the bravado as he watches the one person that matters come closer.*