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[realtrashmouth]

TFLN OVERFLOW
STARTERS & PROMPTS ENCOURAGED & WELCOME

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"amnesic (boy)friends walk into a bar in weho"

[respirations]

( A business trip to California marks the furthest Eddie has ever been from home.

At least, he thinks, its the furthest he's been from home. Whatever time existed in his youth before college and moving to Yonkers before university is a bit of a blur. It was almost like everything kicked into gear around the age of eighteen and nothing happened (at least nothing worth remembering) happened before that. He could definitely remember because not remembering is fucking weird and obviously that meant some major health concern and―

Okay, brain, time to breathe.

Anyway― as far as Eddie (though perhaps he should shoot his therapist an email) was concerned this was the furthest he had been from home and he fucking hates it.

Los Angeles is a clusterfuck of an aneurysm waiting to happen which is saying a lot considering he calls New York City home. Everything just sucks from the need for a car, the traffic as a result and the people it traps in its never ending traffic jams. By the time Friday rolls around and one of the guys invites him out to a bar that's within walking distance, Eddie doesn't give it a second thought before they're on their way to some eccentric looking place with a large outdoor space and a downstairs comedy club.

As it turns out: the drinks are great which helps as the night goes on and especially after Eddie wanders downstairs at the urging of his coworker. It's all fine and dandy, silently judging the opener before another guy comes on and Eds is hit with a way of familiarity that he thinks might end up with him passed out on the floor. It's only through a want to figure out why this guy is so familiar that keeps him glued to his seat because this guy is definitely not funny. A fact that, to his surprise, pisses Eddie off to unimaginable levels.

It only gets worse when they lock eyes and before he knows it― they're absolutely shitting on one another. Eddie never thought himself capable of heckling yet here he is tearing at the guy just as hard as the comedian gives and its only when someone off stage comes on to wrangle the guy that he finally stands, fuming and rushes back upstairs.

Now seated in some far corner of the bar Eddie finds himself glaring daggers as the comedian (what the fuck was his name, again?) appears at his side and mutters into his drink. )

If you're here to start shit again then I swear I'm gonna break this glass upside your head, dickwad.

a million years later i reply...

[realtrashmouth]

( Richie had been working hard since he dropped out of college, and for anyone that knew Richie Tozier, the words “working hard” weren’t really in his vocabulary. But, for once, he was finally trying, and he was actually really fucking good at it.

Being funny came easily when it was aimed at taking a stab at yourself. People laughed along as he joked about his terrible eyesight and the awful interactions with women that sometimes ended up in him getting slapped around the face. It was all jokes and funny and har-har at the comedian and Richie didn’t mind it. He’d spent most of his life getting laughed at for something, hadn’t he?

The funny thing was, he could barely remember his childhood. He must’ve been happy, he must have had friends, there had to be… something. Right?

So Richie is on stage, and he’s doing one of his usual routines at a new place. He’s picking on people in the crowd, asking them questions, making assumptions, and then his eyes fall onto a table, and in particular, a man who looked less than impressed. His perfect candidate. Until he eyes fucking look at him properly and something inside Richie squeezes like he knows who this man is and suddenly he can’t breathe.

Richie freezes. He stares. He stumbles over his words for a second and lets out an awkward laugh and then starts talking about how fucking hot this guy is, about how he looks great with his frowny face and how he’ll have wrinkles by the time he’s 40 if he’s not careful and didn’t your mother ever teach you that if you keep glaring at people your face will get stuck like that forever?

They go back and forth, and Richie laughs when the guy decides to leave and he carries on with his routine trying not to think about how he’s just called this guy hot in front of everyone and hopes that people thought he was really, really just joking.

He can’t stop thinking about him, not even when he’s finished his bit and he’s done for the night. Blue eyes land on him as Richie orders his drink and he smirks behind the top of his beer. He slides on over to him, entirely too much in his space and lets out a laugh at the man’s comment. )

Aw, come on, man, it was all just a joke. I’m a comedian. I get paid to be funny. You’re at a comedy club, you can’t seriously be pissed?

( He’s never had someone take offense to what he’d said before. It’s new. )

Why don’t we start again? I’m Richie.

[respirations]

( As much as Eddie wants to get up and leave there is something keeping him glued to his seat as the man approaches him. He can't help the way his mouth twists into a frown, brows furrowed as he looks away and nurses his drink instead.

Yet as the comedian slides on over toward him, laughing with those eyes sparkling in a way that draws Eddie's toward him once again. Despite himself, Eddie remains seated with a huff of air and another needed sip of his own drink. )

Could of fooled me. Aren't comedians usually supposed to be funny? I can't believe they pay you for that shit―

( It's all said with another huff of air yet as the other man introduces himself, Eddie glances over with a curious look and unable to ignore how much his heart seizes in his chest. )

Eddie― my name is Eddie.

[realtrashmouth]

( there's something about the way eddie frowns that makes richie want to keep annoying him, keep trying to make him laugh... keep trying in general. his heart is pounding hard beneath his ribcage. this man was hot. richie wasn't kidding when he'd said that, but he couldn't very well admit that right now, could he? he couldn't out himself. )

eddie.

( the name sounds nice on his tongue. eddie. eddie. eddie. richie wants to say it over and over again. )

nice to officially meet you eddie. so what brings you here then if you don't think i'm so funny? you on a date?

[respirations]

( Again― he narrows his eyes and frowns but ultimately returns to his whiskey sour with a needed drink. He doesn't want to admit how much the other's attention gets his heart racing though he figures maybe its just the adrenaline from earlier when they were having their back and forth during the show. )

I'm not on a date― ( He says quickly, perhaps too quickly before forcing himself to glance away. )

It's not a date. I'm here on business, a coworker invited me out― I didn't know it would be a comedy club situation.

[realtrashmouth]

Oh, you're not on a date? Handsome man like you?

( Richie sips on his drink and smirks, his eyes staying on the man, wanting to see him frown or squirm again. He can't help it, it's like a gravitational pull, an instinct to tease Eddie. )

And you wouldn't have come if you'd known it was a comedy club situation? You got a thing against comedians?

[respirations]

Seriously dude― if you're wanting to start shit again then find someone else. I'm not in the mood for games.

( Because if anything pisses him off then its this weird... flirting? Flirting or teasing, the latter more likely if Eddie had to take a guess. Which, honestly, just pisses him off more. )

And I only got a thing against shitty comedians.

[realtrashmouth]

What, I can't give you a compliment? I called you hot when I was on stage and you looked like I'd just kicked your fucking puppy.

( Richie hadn't figured he'd picked out a fucking homophobe but apparently he had. It's time to push himself further back into the damn closet. )

Jeez, someone sure did wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning, huh, Eds? Why are you still here, if you hate it so much? Just leave.

[respirations]

Because you only said it so I could be the butt of some fucking joke. It fits your type of comedy, yeah?

( He finally turns, hand chopping through the air but ultimately prodding at the other man's shoulder. )

Why should I leave? I can't believe I was so stupid to think your annoying ass was actually familiar.

[realtrashmouth]

Oh, did I?

( Richie raises an eyebrow at Eddie. He can't now tell the guy that although he was making a joke about a lot of things, about a lot of people, he actually felt what he was saying when it came to Eddie. He can't tell him about how as soon as he saw him, he felt something pang inside of him, like he knew exactly who he was somehow; like they were meant to be, or had been something in a former life.

No. That was so gay. He couldn't say that. But then Eddie says something, and Richie blinks and the smirk falls from his face ).

Yeah. I thought the same when I saw you.

[respirations]

Ridiculous, huh?

( He says with a huff of air before finishing his whiskey sour and setting the glass down. Once again, he shifts in his seat in order to better look at Richie with a raise of his own brows. He really, really hates how much he's drawn to in to this annoying piece of shit but― )

And, you know, it pisses me off because usually I don't care about this shit. I can barely remember my childhood in backwoods fucking Maine but the fact that I think that I know you has stuck with me all night.

[realtrashmouth]

Uh-huh.

( Richie can't help but stare as Eddie begins to ramble and, for some reason, he feels more drawn to him. He's enamored by him, completely fucking dumb-struck in a feeling that he wants to call love and it's terrifying and confusing at the same time.

Eddie's from Maine too. Richie knows he's from Maine... from somewhere in Maine but he's never that sure unless his parents call him and then he remembers a little bit but then it goes again. They always tell him he never calls, but he never remembers. )

Yeah. I'm from Maine too. Somewhere. I don't know. But that's why I picked you out, man. I feel like I know you.

[respirations]

Wait― seriously?

( Eddie can't help stuttering when he speaks because it just sends more sparks bursting through him. He feels his face burn but isn't sure if its because of the drinks or because of Richie himself. Honestly its probably a little bit of both and he turns toward the other man fully, knocking knees but uncaring as he leans in slightly. )

I've never felt like this which, like I said, sounds fucking crazy but... I feel like I've known you forever.

[realtrashmouth]

Yeah, seriously. I'm not fucking around here, man.

( Richie takes a sip of his beer and then puts it down on the table, giving Eddie his full attention just as Eddie's knees bump into his. It feels nice and Richie knows he's in fucking trouble. Maine is a big place. They're probably not from the same town at all, they probably don't know each other.

He studies Eddie a little closer, taking note of things he hadn't seen before when he was on stage. Like the ring on Eddie's finger. )

You're married.

[respirations]

( The notice of the ring on his finger makes him jump― Eddie looking down at his hand and smiling faintly. )

Would you believe me if I said this was just for show? You look more put together with things like a spouse and a house. People respect you more and it means women leave you alone.

( A beat and then two before: ) Especially when you don't want their attention in the first place.

[realtrashmouth]

Then I must really not look put together.

( Richie grins. He's not married, he's not really got a house either; he rents with a couple of other guys who are rarely there and that's a great situation for him. He gets a decent place and barely sees his roommates. )

So you want me to leave you alone?

( He gestures to Eddie's hand. )

Don't want my attention?

[respirations]

I don't know. You're doing what you love, right? That's more than most people can say even if your jokes suck.

( It's said with a smile and even a breath of a laugh as he tilts his head. )

No, um― it's your attention that's the kind of attention I want.

[realtrashmouth]

( Richie's grateful that Eddie seems to have relaxed around him. Maybe he's not homophobic. Maybe he's just defensive. Richie doesn't know. His head is swimming and his heart is pounding and it's taking a lot for him not jump on this guy right now, but he can't do that. He's a straight dude remember? )

I thought I sucked and that you didn't want my attention and I was making terrible jokes about how hot you are?

( He raises an eyebrow, but he's teasing, hoping to see more of that smile Eddie finally gave him. )

[respirations]

Your jokes do suck and I don't want your attention when it's because you're telling those shit jokes to get other people's attention.

( It's all said seriously, his brows furrowed but Eddie still managing to smile. )

But I guess I don't mind if you keep telling me how hot I am.

[realtrashmouth]

( I guess I don't mind if you keep telling me how hot I am.

Richie's mouth fell open and he blinked at Eddie. What the fuck? This guy... was he...? He'd certainly rendered the Trashmouth speechless, which was pretty much a first. He didn't know what to do. )

Yeah? You want me to tell you how hot you are, and how I wanna drag you somewhere quiet where we're alone?

[respirations]

( Yeah, okay, Eddie definitely can't help the laugh that escapes him as he knocks their knees together once again. Carefully, he reaches over and steals a needed sip of Richie's beer because this was definitely not something he did (ever) and could need some more of this liquid courage. )

I mean as long as you don't mind me asking if you wanna get out of here and mentioning that I've got a room in a place about a block away?

[realtrashmouth]

( Oh, fuck. This was... happening? Richie didn't know how. Eddie had acted like he'd committed a heinous crime against him to begin with and now he was asking if he wanted to get out of there, go back to his place? Richie nodded. He left the beer. He stood. )

Let's go.

( So long as no one really caught him leaving with some guy, Richie knew he would be fine. He could maybe pay Eddie to keep quiet. )

[respirations]

( Eddie can feel his heart hammering in his chest in the silence that follows. He wonders if he read all of this wrong and, in just a moment, Richie is gonna lash out and make a joke of the situation. Thankfully (God, thank you) the other man gives the affirmative to get out of there and he lets out a shuddering breath of air. )

Yeah, yeah. Let's go―

( He stands, grabbing his things and paying his tab before heading for the door. There isn't a pause or a glance back to see if Richie is following because he just hopes that Richie is without him having to lead him by the hand. )

[realtrashmouth]

( Richie doesn't know who is more eager to get out of there out of the two of them, but he follows behind happily, trying to keep some distance between them so as not to draw attention until they're out on the street.

It's quieter there than in the bar, and Richie decides to step a little closer, walking almost shoulder-to-shoulder with Eddie, daring to brush his fingers against Eddie's. )

I don't do this often, you know.

( It was a white lie. Richie didn't sleep with a lot of men now but when he'd moved out to L.A., he'd had more than his fair share. He was experienced. He didn't even know if Eddie wanted to sleep with him, but why else would he invite him back to his place? )

[respirations]

( He breathes out softly as Richie comes up to his side and their fingers brush with a glance over. It's just so much that he swears his heart is going to drum out of his fucking chest but for a moment Eddie lets their pinkies link but just as quickly he lets go. )

Me neither but, like I said, there's just something about you.

( Carefully and with extreme care he twists the ring on his left hand. )

I― I just want to see you. All of you.