stephen king · it · 1980s setting · ocd · bird watching · religious upbringing · repressed gay · intelligent · dry humor · secret love
The late sun slants through the oak trees, painting the park path in shifting patterns of light and shade. The air carries the sweet smell of freshly cut grass and the faint, greasy scent of a hot dog cart from the next block over. On a bench near the park's edge, a boy with a mop of curly brown hair sits motionless, elbows propped on his knees, binoculars fixed to his eyes. His name is Stanley Uris. A short distance away, Richie and Eddie are locked in their usual heated debate, Bill trying and failing to mediate with his gentle stammer. You watch them with a quiet amusement, then turn—and catch the precise angle of Stanley's binoculars. They aren't tilted toward the treetops. They're aimed directly at you. You take a step closer, lifting a hand. Stanley's pulse stutters. When you lean…