#with my boot because he’s clapping that harshly on purpose and also when he attempts at speaking spanish he makes his voice squeaky and | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

mitchsmarners · 5 years

Text

L.A Devotee | chapter two

Eddie made no complaint the whole way through the bar and simply raised his brow at Richie as he pushed them into the bathroom and closed the door. “Are we going to make out?” Eddie asked, eyeing Richie up and down slowly. “Because you look really good right now, but there’s no cameras in here so I don’t really see the point.”

“Are we going to… NO!” Richie shook his head harshly, wanting to bang his head against the stall door. He could practically feel the body heat radiating from Eddie’s body and yeah… okay, maybe it was making him a little dizzy but that wasn’t the point here. Underneath everything, Richie Tozier was human after all.

[or: child actor Richie Tozier was raised in The Industry, he knows how to play the game. He knows exactly how to keep his head down, and make his way through the famous life without attracting any extra drama. Until his management branch takes an up incoming band under their wing, and enlist Richie to publicly date the lead singer, and that all falls to shit.]

Photoshoots were the quite possibly Richie’s least favourite part of being famous. Well, no, he knew many things he hated about being famous much more- but doing photoshoots was his least favourite part of being famous that he was also paid for. So, for him to arriving onto a set for a photoshoot that wasn’t his, and he wasn’t being paid for, was a big reach for Richie. He’d pitched possibly the biggest fit he’d ever done in his managers office that the day before when he was told what was expected of him, but Kay had been more than firm.

“This is the first big shoot for their band and you’re supposed to be a supporting, loyal boyfriend.” Kay had pointed out to him. “You need to be there and show support.”

Richie had shot back some retort about how he’d thought he was going to be more of sugar daddy for Edward of Musician than a supporting boyfriend, but he’d already known that he’d lost the battle. He was standing in front of Beverly while she holding up two shirts that Richie thought looked pretty much the exact fucking same. “Why I am being done up? I’m not even being photographed!”

Beverly gave him a withering look, lowering the shirts slightly. “This might not be your photoshoot, Richard, but you’re a fool if you think nobody is going to be taking pictures of you. This is the big debut of your relationship-“

“Fake relationship,” Richie attempted to interrupt but Beverly clapped a hand over his mouth.

“Don’t interrupt me, Tozier, you know it doesn’t end well for you.” Beverly pushed on, removing her hands from Richie’s mouth and holding the shirts back up beside his face. “You need to look just as presentable as you would if this was your own photoshoot. Put up a good face for the public.”

“Why do I have to put up a good face?” Richie sneered. “The public already knows me, and what I wear in casual situations.”

Beverly paused, lowering the shirts and narrowing her eyes at him. “You’re right.”

“I’m… what? Did you just say that I was right?” Richie squeaked, eyes widening in mock disbelief. “I never thought this day would come. I’d first like to thank my parents, and of course, the Academy-“

“Even a broken clock is right twice a day,” Bev said with an eye roll and a soft smile. “It’s just… you are right. If you come around here looking like it’s a business transaction then your fans going to figure out pretty quickly that this isn’t real. You need to look like your every day self, not somebody who’s purposely impressing the public.”

“So you’re not going to make me change?” Richie asked quietly, looking down at himself. He’d actually given the outfit of the day a little bit of thought, and most of that thought was the needed to think the worst possible thing in his closet to be sure that Eddie fucking hated it. He found those sparkly boots hidden way in the back of his closet from his Harry Styles wannabe days, and paired them with a bright Hawaiian print shirt and neon red skinny jeans. He’d been considerate enough to wear a red and white print on his shirt, and he felt that was a branch of niceness he hadn’t been obligated to provide.

Beverly looked him up and down and crinkled her nose. “Yeah. I’ll call Kay and make the point to her, you know she’ll see it from our point of view. Go over and talk to Eddie, and at least look boyfriendly. I don’t care what you say, just look cute while you say it!”

“I can do that!” Richie called over his shoulder, grinning, as he moved over to Eddie. He couldn’t deny that guy was attractive, looking particularly more the part today in the beat up leather jacket and ripped jeans that Beverly had pushed him into than the sweater and khakis he’d been wearing when Richie had met him the other day. His hair seeming curlier than Richie had noticed when they were in Kay’s office, but Richie was sure it that was because of product or a lack of product.

Richie forced a smile, cupping Eddie’s hip with one hand and leaning in to press a kiss to Eddie’s cheek. He pulled back and smiled blandly at him. “How are we doing here?”

Eddie looked Richie up and down and rolled his eyes, still wearing a smile. “About on par with your outfit; loud, bright and unnecessary.” Richie fought off a cringe and wrapped an arm around Eddie’s waist. “Do you want to meet the guys? I don’t think you’ve been introduced.”

Eddie guided Richie towards the three men that were all gathered around the white backdrop the basic photographer was holding them in front of. Richie could see without needing to look around that people were taking discreet photos of the two of them, so Richie kept his arm around Eddie’s waist as he was lead over.

Eddie pressed a little bit against him as he smiled at his bandmates. “Hey, guys, this is Richie! Please excuse his outfit, it seems his mother never taught him how to dress himself.” Richie stiffened against Eddie, and it seemed that Eddie felt it, as the back of Eddie’s neck started to turn a little pink. “He’s our ticket to fame, apparently.”

The serious looking boy with tight curls, and the only one in a simple grey button up without the leather jacket, gave Eddie a dull look. “Our talent is what is going to be our ticket to fame. I won’t be reduced to a spineless boyband with a prostitute front man.”

With that, the curly haired man was turning and walking away. Richie noticed for the first time that the perma-grin had left Eddie’s face, the other man walking his bandmate walk away with pursed lips and almost sad eyes. Richie knew that inner turmoil this early in the game was a bad play, but Richie wasn’t on contract to give them advice.

“I’m sorry about that,” The black man with the guitar over his shoulder said, giving Richie a soft smile. He noted that none of them were giving an obvious introduction, no shaking of hands, and Richie chose to believe that it was because they’d been trained to act as though they knew each other- and not that they were just dicks. “Stan isn’t really on board with this whole publicity stunt thing. He seems to think it takes away from what we’re doing on our own.”

It isn’t, Richie thought a little sadly. Every publicity bullshit you have to go through to make it, you’re still doing it on our own. You’re still earning in. But he’d never say anything so reassuring, as he didn’t plan on making it easier on anybody so Richie just smiled. “I’m pretty sure that none of us wanted this, sweets.”

Richie squeezed Eddie’s hip a little bit tighter and Eddie jerked to look at Richie. “Obviously.” Eddie replied, voice dripping with venom and hand coming out to squeeze Richie’s fingers.

A boy with broad shoulders and chubby cheeks glanced awkwardly between them, and scratched the back of his neck. “Alright, well… I’m going to go check on Stan, but uh- Richie, you should come out for drinks later tonight, we’ll get to know you better-“

“Oh, I’m sure Richie doesn’t want to,” Eddie quickly said, leaning away from Richie slightly. Richie used his grip to pull Eddie back towards him.

“Oh, Richie doesn’t want to,�� Richie said sweetly. “But he probably should, and will likely get in trouble with the big boss if he doesn’t. I’ll bring Audra with me, so that you’ll be able to have some friendly conversation while I sit there and look pretty as Eds arm candy.”

“Oh, gross,” Eddie let out a disgusted noise, pushing Richie away and seeming to remember the last moment to make it look the playful. “Do not fucking call me that. I hate nicknames.”

“Ohhhhh, Ed Edd and Eddy, you just made a big mistake telling me that.”

xxx

“Why.” Richie moaned from where he was resting against the front door of his and Audra’s house. He was wearing the outfit that his best friend had picked out for him, as well as his best pout. The outfit was nice, very nice- fitted dark blue jeans and a tight white button up that he knew held against what little muscles his figure managed to hold but Richie didn’t want a nice outfit. He never wanted it to look like he was looking good for Eddie. “He doesn’t deserve it!”

Audra knelt down in front of him, looking the goddess she always did, and smiled. “Don’t think of it as dressing up for Eddie. Think of it as proving to Eddie that you’re a hot piece of ass and he’s fucking lucky to have the privilege of people believing you two are in a relationship.”

Richie smiled up at her, closing his eyes. “You’re the only person in this entire world worth a damn to me. Marry me?”

Audra clicked her tongue, and patted Richie on top on the head. Her head her fingers moving away, then returning. A coat fell over Richie’s body and he looked up at his impatient looking best friend. “You’re the one who signed up for this. Get up, we’re going.”

“I never refused to go,” Richie pointed out, accepting Audra’s outstretched hand and letting himself be hoisted to his feet. “I just don’t wanna get dressed up.”

“You’re actually wearing less layers than usual,” Audra said, pushing Richie out the front door. The pub where they were meeting Eddie and the his bandmates was just down the road from where Richie and Audra lived, and they knew their regular orders. It was about as close to a lowkey place that you could find in mainstream L.A and the only place that Richie ever really felt comfortable going out to. They knew Richie’s tricks and schemes, and actually how Richie could his drinks.

It was a nice place, that managed to seem small and tight knit while actually being a rather large place, and Richie instantly felt warmed when he came inside. Wrapping an arm around Audra’s waist, he held her over to their table. He’d made that sure that Eddie’s band mates knew where to sit, because Richie Tozier was beyond a creature of habit.

He caught Eddie’s eye through the crowds of people, moving to tables and getting drinks, and Eddie gave him half a smile. Richie nodded in acknowledgment and was part way to the table when he was intercut by the serious boy from the photoshoot earlier. His hair was just as proper as it had been when the shoot had been taking place, and Richie figured that Beverly would never have to do much work with this guy. She was going to love that.

“I’ve been told that I owe you an apology,” The man- Stan, if Richie recalled correctly, and he usually did, said. He scuffed his surprising of Converse sneakers into the pub floor.

‘And what’s brought you to that conclusion, sweetheart?” Richie cooed as he let Audra pushed past them towards the table with the others. He made a point to remember not to let his posture be too stand offish, because he was aware that he was supposed to already be friends with that guy.

The guy who looked pretty uncomfortable right now, as though he didn’t apologize very often. “It was brought to my attention that it’s not your fault that Eddie has sold out his artistic integrity, and that I shouldn’t take my aggression towards Eddie out on you.”

Richie pursed his lips. “I’m going to be real with you for a second here, man. You might be being a little hard on Eds. He’s got the right idea. I can promise you, there’s nobody in this industry that isn’t a fucking sell out. If you start out with a sell out, then at least nobody can accuse you of it later. Get started with your hands tied, and you won’t be played for a fool.”

Stan narrowed his eyes, looking over Richie’s face carefully. “You’re not like I expected you to be. I just assumed that you’re be some big name asshole.”

“I am a big name asshole!” Richie cried, a little annoyed at just how whiney and offended he sounded.

Stan gave him a little hint of a smile. “Nah, you’re not. If you were an asshole, you would have just let me talk shit about Eddie since it’s obvious you don’t like him. But you defended him.”

“I didn’t defend him for him.” Richie said, narrowing his eyes and crossing his arms. “I only said what was true. Be as mad at him as you wish, I think it’s hilarious that you guys are already having conflict and you haven’t dropped a single yet. It’s cute that you think you can have a career that way.”

Stan’s small smile turned into a grin. “That’s a solid effort. Very appreciated.”

Richie scowled as Stan turned and began to walk back towards their table. Grumbling under his breath, Richie followed him. The table was filled with the only seat available being so close to beside Eddie that Richie might as well sit down on his lap. He’d known that he was going to have to sit beside Eddie, of course, but he hadn’t counted on it looking like foreplay. Rolling his eyes, Richie squished in beside Eddie and tried to damnedest to look as though he was happy about it.

“About time,” Eddie said cheekily, letting his hand slid along Richie’s thigh and squeezing at it. Richie turned and smiled at him at softly as he could manage with pure irritation pulsing through his veins. “Thought you were going to spend the entire night standing over there flirting with my guitarist. Wouldn’t be good for our image, baby.”

“Oh, baby,” Richie cooed, patting Eddie cheek lightly. “You don’t have an image to look bad yet. You’re just my new cute little arm candy. Probably going to want to turn off your Twitter notifs.”

Eddie’s face seemed to fall, and his shoulders hunched up slightly around his shoulders. There was something about him then, some sort of hint at vulnerability and innocence that it brought Richie pause. There was a short moment of remorse that thickened in Richie’s gut before Eddie slapped on a smirk and leaned back in the booth seats.

“Okay, yeah.,” Eddie drawled with a laugh. “I mean, it’s easy for you to say, isn’t it? It’s a little harder to get your name known when you have to work for it yourself.”

Richie’s dislike for Eddie Kaspbrak came back so fast it almost gave him whip lash. “You’re not doing it yourself, though, are you?” Richie challenge quickly, stepping all the fuck over the words he’d told Stan just minutes earlier. “I’m doing it for you.”

Eddie was openly glowering at him now, and Richie knew goddamn well how terrible this moment would look if anybody got it captured. Not that Richie cared all that much about whether Eddie and his band’s career took off, but if Richie messed this up for the management he knew that he’d be facing people a lot scarier than Kay McCall. Sighing, he grabbed Eddie’s hand that was still resting on his thigh and pulled Eddie out the booth.

Eddie leaned back up against the stall, crossing one leg in front of the other. “You know, this is fun and all- I like how you’re eyes go all wide and out of focus when you’re trying not to loose your shit but- you don’t drag me into bathrooms for now reason. Want to get to the point, hon?”

“You’ve got a lot too learn.” Richie said slowly, shaking his head slowly and eyes flashing. He watched the way Eddie’s eyes trailed his body and his blood rushed up to the back of his neck.

Eddie took a few steps forward, hand coming to rest in the middle of Richie’s chest. His fingers flecked and got caught up in the fabric of his shirt. He looked up at Richie through his lashes and smiled. “Are you going to teach me, then?”

Richie let out a shaky breath, bringing his hands up and rubbing at his eyes. This fucking kid… “Dude, you are greener than a blond girl with big boobs at her first CW audition that thinks flirting with the director is a good idea. Get off me.” Eddie stepped backwards immediately, holding his hands up and looking slightly intimidated. “You’ve got big balls, kid, I’ll give you that.”

Eddie looked momentarily confused, a little child-like, and bit down on his bottom lip. “I don’t… I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Richie clucked his tongue and shook his head. “I can’t decide if you’re stupid or just asshole.”

“Bold of you to assume I’m not both.”

Richie clenched his jaw, ready to snap, but before he could get angry he found laughter bubbling up in his chest. Cupping his hands back up over his face, Richie allowed himself a few moments to laugh. When he lowered his hands away once again, Eddie was looking at him with a surprisingly soft yet confused smile. “You know…” Richie said, clearing his throat. “I’m pretty sure you’re a little bitch, but at least you’re an entertaining one.”

Eddie’s smile turned into a grin. “So does that mean you do want to make out?”

Smirking himself, Richie slammed both hands on either side of Eddie’s head and leaned in. Eddie’s head thumped back against the metal stall, and Richie watched as his pupil’s blew out while staring up at Richie with wide eyes. Richie knocked their noses together and chuckled.

“No.”

Richie let himself out of the stall, fighting back the giggles, while Eddie stared at the air where Richie’s body had just been in a wonderful mix of betrayal and admiration.

#reddie #reddie fic #my writing #richie tozier #eddie kaspbrak #lad

94 notes · View notes