Fusion || Reddie Soulmate AU || IT (2017)

[Chapter 1]

Richie didn't understand a lot of things.

He didn't understand libraries, for one. Who would want to keep quiet and stay still just to read? It's bad enough he has to read, but quiet and still? Those words weren't in Richie's vocabulary.

But here he was, in the library, studying for an upcoming math test that he didn't actually have to study for. He may be a Trashmouth, but he was smart. He didn't study, and he still gets A's. He actually loved math. It gave him things to focus on, like equations and tough formulas. He forgets them right after he does them the first time, but everything comes rushing back once he sees a problem that uses that formula.

That's why he's so fucking confused about why he's here. But in all actuality, he knew why. His eyes slowly drifted from the textbook in front of him to the person sitting next to him. Yeah. That's why.

Sitting there, nice and pretty, was Eddie fucking Kaspbrak. His soulmate.

Richie might not talk about it, but he thinks about that day in the Neibolt house all the time.

Eds was furiously chewing on the end of a neon pink-inked pen that had those creepy ass Care Bears on it. It's so disgustingly adorable and just so Eddie that Richie couldn't stop the small smile from crawling on his face.

Not only was Eds chewing on that damn pen, he had this other habit that was the cutest thing- he pulled his hair. Well it was more of a small tug once and awhile, but Richie adored that. He adored everything about the other boy. He just adored Eddie in general, actually.

And his brother, Mike, just had to ruin his study session, like always. He loves his brother- don't tell him that- but holy fuck did he actually need to interrupt his studying of... human anatomy? Yeah, that's what he'll say.

"Rich, you enjoying the view?" Mike whispers smugly, leaning to the side to be closer to Richie. Jesus Christ, his twin brother was annoying as all hell.

Mike was the first one he told about the event at Neibolt. Even after he took a long shower, the fear, shock and... everything else he was feeling didn't go away. Not one bit. And he was scared. 13 year old Richie, no matter what he blabbers on about, has never come even close to something that felt so... so personal before. He needed to talk to someone.

So he did. Mike, who was complaining on the other side of the bathroom door about Richie taking forever, quickly quieted when the door slowly opened to reveal his brother in absolute shambles. And his face... Mike knows he'll never forget the haunted expression on his brother's face. Mike quickly hugged Richie like his life depended on it, and Richie finally broke down. Mike will never forget the first time his brother cried in front of him. No, it was full on sobbing. Mike started to silently cry himself, and so the teary eyed brothers held each other for what felt like hours.

Richie just muttered "Eddie's my soulmate." Mike understood, and hugged him impossibly tighter.

Eventually, their older sister Nancy found them in that position. She was deeply confused, but she hugged both her sobbing brothers and led them to her room to explain what the hell is going on.

And he did. And they didn't laugh.

They smiled, and shared a knowing look.

"We knew you and Eddie had something special." Nancy said warmly, smiling supportively at her little brother.

Mikes excited smile turned into a smirk. "We also knew you had something for Eddie. And by we, I mean literally everyone." He teased, elbowing Richie fondly. Richie fucking loves his family sometimes.

Back to the now, Richie looks over at his brother with a glare and a pout. "You fucking know it." He snarked back, face going a bit red. Mike laughs, but a sharp "Shh!" cut the moment short. Then Richie hears his favorite sound.

Eddie's laughing.

He whips his head to pout at Eddie, sticking out his tongue. That just made Eddie laugh harder. Another shush was directed at them, and Eddie quieted down by placing a soft hand over his mouth. At least, Richie always thought Eddie's hands would be soft. 3 years ago, in the Neibolt house, Eds' arm was soft as hell and that shit was broken. But that was 3 years ago. Eddie hasn't let them touch since.

"Richard, Michael, lets fucking bail. This is boring as hell, and you two are definitely not studying." Eddie giggled out, closing the book.

"Yes, sir Edward! Lead the way, Ol' Chap!" Richie exclaimed in a British accent, making Eddie groan and Mike snort. Richie obnoxiously slides his chair back, stands up and slams the book closed loudly.

"I said 'let's bail' not 'break shit'!" Eddie hissed, glaring at Richie from his seat. Richie grinned cheekily.

"Can you guys either get married already or shut the hell up? Your obnoxious flirting makes me want to die." Mike whines, getting out of his seat and closing his book like a normal person.

Richie sputters and spins around, probably to make... aggressive gestures at his annoying twin. But his foot caught on a chair leg, and he fell into a heap of long limbs on the carpeted floor. Mike snorts, trying to hold in his laughter, but ultimately fails and starts to cackle at Richie's compromising situation. Richie thanks every god that he's facing the floor, because he can feel his face burning.

Eddie is a bit shocked, but pushes his amusement away and makes himself be serious. Richie calls this side of Eddie "mom mode", but Eddie can't help it. It's his mom's fault he isn't a normal boy. That he panics even at the thought of disease. He shakes the thousands of possible injuries Richie could have from his mind, and squats next to Richie.

"Are you okay? Does it hurt anywhere? Are you BLEEDING?! Oh fuck, don't tell me you're bleeding! You said you had AIDs that one time, and I'm still not entirely sure that was a joke so please don't bleed on me oh my god-" Eddie panic-rambles, placing his hands on Richie's back and applying pressure in different areas to see if Richie has any negative reactions. Once he was sure nothing was broken, he grabs the other by the shoulders and shakes him violently.

"You ASSHOLE! You're fucking FINE! I risked getting AIDs for you!" Eddie scolds, pouting. Finally, Richie turns his head to look at Eddie. He had a sly smirk, but a tomato red face. But that look still gave Eddie a queasy feeling in his stomach. Any look Richie gives him makes him feel like this. It's annoying as hell.

"Y'know Eds, if you wanted me to give you my AIDs, you could've just asked. No need to get all handsy."

Eddie turns bright red and scowls.

"Oh fuck OFF! And don't call me Eds!"

~~~~~

Hi! This is a very long chapter- about 1100 words- and I'm just going to say chapters won't always be this long! And I don't have an updating schedule so ?? Yeah I hope you're enjoying this so far! I know I am haha :))))