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As Richie approached Eddie's apartment door, he started to overthink how crazy this was. Surprising his not-quite-yet-divorced, anxiety filled, hyperchondriac boyfriend on Christmas Eve? What was he thinking?! There is no way this is going to go well. Eddie is probably going to think that somebody is breaking in to his apartment. If he's even home. He told Richie he didn't have any plans, swamped with work and the final details of his impending divorce. Yet, he could be out with Bev as Ben. He could be stuck at his office. He could be-
-standing in his doorway looking lovingly up at his disheveled, sweaty, airport-bacteria-carrying boyfriend.
"Uh, surprise?"
Richie dropped his bag and gave a half-hearted shake of jazz hands.
"Get in here already, handsome" Eddie smirked as he picked up Richie's bag and pulled him by his hand inside the dimly lit apartment.
Though Eddie was trying to lead him to the bedroom to unpack his bag, Richie pulled Eddie's own arm so that he fell into Richie's arms. Wrapping his arms around Eddie's waist, Eddie relaxed into his grasp like the final piece of a complex puzzle "You're taking this a lot better than I thought you would."
Eddie leaned back before lightly pecking Richie's lips "I knew you were hiding something and Stan isn't a good actor. My suspicions were confirmed this morning though"
"Oh?"
"TMZ posted a picture of you at LAX"
Rolling his eyes, Richie dramatically groaned "Goddamn vultures. God forbid I try to surprise my sexy boyfriend on Christmas Eve"
"It was confirmed this morning, it was definitely still a surprise!"
Richie hums into Eddie's neck where he's tucked in his face, breathing in his scent "A good surprise though, right?"
Eddie pulls his head away, causing Richie to look at him. Darting his eyes around the room, he teases his tall, handsome boyfriend "uhhhhhh, it depends"
"Oh, it depends" Squeezing his arms tighter around Eddie's waist to keep him trapped in his loving embrace. "Depends on what?"
"Depends on what you got me for Christmas" he teases, honestly not caring at all. Richie is the only gift he needs this year and he's got him right infront of him. He's a very happy man.
"Oh but that's a surprise, dear Eds. We can't spoil tomorrows surprise! In the meantime, you'll just have to settle for my di-"
"Nope! Absolutely not! You've ruined Christmas and I'm breaking up with you" Eddie scowls before escaping Richie's arms.
"Get in the shower and get changed and I'll unpack your bag"
"Very sneaky Eds, but you're not going to find anything in there. I have my ways-"
"Bev has it, doesn't she"
"Damn Eds! Can't hide anything from you, can I?"
"You can try but any attempt is futile" he raises his eyebrows in a way that is supposed to be intimidating but Richie just thinks it's cute cute cute! His man knows him so well and that just makes him giddy.
Richie starts wandering down the hall, calling after Eddie "Well, off I go. To the shower…. all alone…"
Eddie lets out a sigh, the battle has already been lost. He places Richie's bag down on the couch before chasing Richie to the bathroom, giggles turn into chuckles and chuckles into bouts of uncontrollable laughter. They've both missed this so much. They've missed each other so much.
Eddie woke up to an empty bed. Disappointing. He was looking forward to Richie being the first thing he saw on Christmas morning. He huffed before getting out of bed. Looking for his boyfriend just frustrated him more. Richie wasn't in the apartment. If it wasn't for his bad on the couch then Wddie would've thought he dreamt the whole "surprise". Just as well he got too distracted last night worshipping Richie's body.
He made coffee and sat at the kitchen table, trying to stop his mind from wandering but to bo avail.
He was just pouring his second cup when he heard the door handle turn. Richie walking past the kitchen down to the bedroom. He heard the bedroom door close before Richie's footsteps got closer to the kitchen.
"I was hoping you would still be alseeep when I got back" he said sliding up behind Eddie and wrapping his arms around his waist.
"The bed was cold and too quiet. The lack of snoring woke me up"
"Okay, rude but fair"
Turning in Richie's arms, he leans up and pecks him on the lips "Merry Christmas, sweetheart"
Richie chased the kiss, turning it into a long and tender show of affection "Merry Christmas, baby. Coffee?"
"Please! Bev didn't even invite me in. Mind you, I think I woke her up" Knowing she wasn't a morning person, he took no offence at the quick exchange.
"So, I have a surprise for you."
"Oh, a surprise?"
"Uh-huh. Come with me, Eddie my love!"
He led Eddie to the bedroom but before opening the door, he instructed him to close his eyes. He did what was asked of him and when Richie opened the door, he heard a soft meow coming from inside. Eyes opening wide, he followed the noise. Infront of him was a young tabby kitten.
"I thought you could use some company for when I'm back in LA. I know you've wanted a cat since we were kids and Bev told me you had your eye on one from the shelter and so I-"
"You got her?! Richie" he laughed wetly. Hands covering his mouth. He couldn't stop the smile that shone through, the smile that Richie says lights up every room he's in.
"Please don't be upset, I know it's a lot but I figured it couldn't hurt to make sure you have some company for when Ben and Bev are out of town and before I move up here in March. Oh, yeah, so I talked to my manager and it's all confirmed. I'm relocating to New York."
"WHAT?!"
"Double surprise?" He smiled awkwardly, baring his teeth in an unsure expression.
"You! Here! Wait!" Eddie collapsed into Richie's arms, tears finally spilling over.
"We talked about it but I finally convinced Steve that it was the right move for me. I start apartment hunting next month"
Eddie rolled his eyes "Why the fuck would you do that?"
"Uhh because I'd like a place to live?" Richie replied, rubbing his hand up and down the back of his neck.
"No, you idiot. Why the fuck are you apartment hunting when you could just move in with me"
"Well, I didn't want to assume or pressure you" he muttered.
"Jesus, Rich. It's all I've been thinking about. Every time you go back to LA. There is no way I'm letting you get an apartment when we could just live together. You, me and the little lady" he looked down and was met with big green eyes as his kitten looked up at him before standing on her hind legs and softly climbing her paws up Eddie's pyjama pants.
"Yeah? It's not too much?"
"Absolutely, not. It's perfect, you're perfect"
Eddie bent down to pick up his and Richie's kitten. She instantly settled into his arms "Now we just need to pick a name for our baby" he said, scratching behind her ears.
The rest of the day was spent cuddling on the couch, eating takeout, watching Christmas movies and thinking of names for the little affectionate fluffball.
It was definitely Eddie's best Christmas to date. The first of many to be shared with Richie and boy, was he excited for the future.