The light isn’t blinding, more of a warm glow. It is so beautiful. Eddie opens his eyes and is instantly confused, it’s the perfect summer day. The trees are swaying in a gentle breeze and everything feels so comfortable. Calm.
His heart stutters when he looks down, short shorts and a fanny pack. What the fuck?
His eyes widen as they fall on a familiar head of sandy curls. He looks just like he remembered.
He looks down at his hands, he’s a kid again? Though none of the negative emotions or insecurities seem to linger. He feels right.
Something twists in his chest and the other boy pulls him off his feet and into a hug. It’s warm and comforting, the embrace of a best friend.
Eddie lets the warmth engulf him, he feels happy in way he never thought he could. He feels calm and with Stanley there he feels loved. He doesn’t want to leave, ever.
He looks over his shoulder, he feels anxiety and an earth shattering hurt threaten to overwhelm him. “Richie,” he gasps out, he misses him so much already. Richie needs him, he can’t explain it. The man has lived without him for twenty seven years but in his heart he knows Richie needs him.
He feels a warmth settle on his shoulder and realizes that he had turned all the way around.
“You can’t go back,” it doesn’t sound sad, Stan sounds like he understands.
“Stan, I cant leave them. I can’t leave him.”
It’s surreal but he looks down and in his hand he notices he’s clutching his inhaler. He’s holding it so tightly, knuckles turning white.
It sounds almost dreamlike but he feels so clear, “you don’t need that anymore,” Stan assures him. He’d argue normally but he believes him. He doesn’t need it anymore, not as a crutch, not for anything. He lets it fall to the smooth macadam and turns back to Stan.
“You’ll blink and they’ll be here,” Stan promises and smiles. It’s an excited smile that pulls at his heartstrings, a sight straight out of his childhood. “I’m so proud, you did it.”
Eddie scoffs but there’s no malice, “they did it.”
An eye roll. “You did it, you dumbass. Hell, we did it,” Stan takes Eddie’s hand and pulls him along into the light.
He realizes where they are all at once, the kissing bridge. It holds no ill will anymore, he knows beyond the bridge he won’t be in Derry anymore and he’s more than okay with that.
He lets his gaze fall on the “R+E” and Stan grins next to him, “I always knew Richie carved that, he never could stop making googly eyes at you.”
Eddie moves over and bends down, he lets his fingers trace the lettering.
“Come on, Eddie,” Stan was straddling his bike. Eddie was amazed to see his own next to Stan’s, just like it was in his youth. “I have so much to show you. You’re going to love it.”
Eddie grabs his bike and takes one last look behind him.
“Trust me, they’ll be here before you know it,” Stan kicks his kickstand up and Eddie mirrors the action.
Resisting the urge to look back one more time, Eddie follows Stan across the bridge.
janainaart
areudirty
kianamaiart
turnnoffyourmind
snowghoul
vaporwave
romaincrisis
