“Dada?” Richie hummed in acknowledgement, distracted by watching Eddie and their youngest, Harry, splashing each other playfully in the pool. April, their eldest, poked him until he finally looked down at her, “why does Daddy’s skin look different to ours?”
The curious six-year-old was referring to the vast scarring spread across her father’s chest due to getting impaled by a killer clown claw many years ago. Not that Richie was about to tell her that. He and Eddie had agreed there were some things their children didn’t need to know. Kids were curious, however, and April wasn’t about to leave it alone.
“There was an accident,” Richie said delicately, watching as Eddie lifted their giggling son onto his shoulders. His heart warmed and he smiled, “but he’s okay now.”
April blinked slowly, processing his words. She turned to look at her father and brother in the pool, adding innocently, “it looks like stars. It’s pretty.”
“It really is, right?” Richie sighed dreamily. He bit back a grin as Eddie swept back his hair, beckoning for him to join them. So he did.
He lifted April effortlessly and carried her like a football towards the pool; she giggled in delight as Richie tossed her into the water, following immediately behind her. April surfaced, giggling when she noticed her father wearing a pair of water wings similar to hers. She kicked her legs hard until she reached Eddie who was still entertaining her little brother.
“Hi, Daddy,” she leapt up, wrapping her arms around his neck, placing a wet kiss to his cheek. Eddie chuckled, turning her around so he could hold her properly; her fingers danced softly across his chest and she mumbled, “your skin is pretty.”
“Oh,” Eddie blushed, smiling shyly. There was a time when he didn’t believe Richie’s constant heartfelt praise and meaningful words but he’d worked hard to get where he is today and he was very proud. It still took him by surprise sometimes. He kissed the top of April’s head, “thank you, sweetheart.”
“Hey, I think you’re pretty, too,” Richie pouted, wading towards his family. He shook the water from his hair, giving his husband his best puppy dog eyes, “do I get one?”
Eddie rolled his eyes, trying his hardest not to smile as he leaned in for a kiss that went on until April loudly voiced her disgust. When they separated, Richie pretended to faint, floating on his back in the water much to the delight of his children and embarrassment of his husband.
“You’re an idiot,” Eddie said fondly, stroking his fingers through Richie’s wet hair. He may have pretended to faint but his heart still beat wildly as he gazed into Eddie’s eyes.
“It’s your fault for being so hot, babe.” And there was that blush again. Richie loved it. He loved appreciating Eddie and ensuring his knew how loved he was. He’d spend the rest of his life doing so if he had to.
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