#covier

Steve brought up a good point. And, honestly, if Richie had been going at this alone, he definitely wouldn’t have scooped up the little thing so casually-- part of why he did, though, was definitely because he knew Steve would have objections, and Richie Tozier was a naturally contrarian individual.

“Rich, answer me, come on, you don’t even like babies?”

Another reason, though, was his big heart. It got him into trouble sometimes, but Steve loved that about him. And... Somehow much of the worry Steve had was erased by Richie’s knowing puppy dog eyes. They were standing in a broken down house with half a window and after having ransacked it for food and supplies, and somehow Richie’s stupid puppy eyes were able to erase any worry he could or should have.

He sighed. “Okay. we can. Let’s find somewhere to get this little guy cleaned up.”

Rich grinned victoriously, shifting the toddler or infant (he really wasn't sure, and neither was Steve) in his arms. “I knew he’d win you over! How could you say no to this little rascal’s face?”

“Richie... it’s dirty as--... It’s dirty. His face is dirty, this house is dirty, and we need to get out of here before we put everyone in danger. Lets go.”

“You mean we need to wash his face, alright alright, you dont want him to be filthy like me I get it.”

“It’s far less comfortable for everyone else than it is for you, Rich. Plus he reeks! Are you sure these things don’t have a sense of smell?”

Richie covered the babies ear in mock offense, bouncing him in one arm. “Covall, my love, they barely even have noses.”

“Maybe their smell receptors are even less blocked because there’s no cover!”

Ah. They. They referred to the roaming, rotting corpses just outside. Steve, even if he didn't seem to have ever paid attention in biology classes, was certainly right about needing to go.

Richie held the little one close to his chest and headed out the back, and Steve held a gun in one hand and knife in the other. Most of them had relatively Less Hearing than your average human, but it was still optimal to keep from making noise as much as possible, so Steve really would have preferred Not to be using a gun.

He did think Richie was cute, though. He really did like the idea of raising a baby with him... even if these weren’t the best circumstances to raise one in.

They managed to all be quiet enough, baby cooing in his soiled yellow onesie and a purple binky in his mouth.

But then, it fell. There was a bone tearing cry.

“Shit, Book it, Rich! Get to the car, I’ll meet you there!”

“You’ll meet me there, are you crazy?”

“Go!”

“No, I’m not leaving without you. Never.”

Steve wasn’t happy about this, but he guessed there was no time to argue any longer. They were already shooting through zombies as they were on their way, so it didn't make sense to stop now. This kid was crying so loud, fuck.

They finally got to the car, Steve in the drivers seat, and Richie huddling over the kid. “Thank god he wasn't grabbed. Holy shit. I just met you, little guy! Would suck to lose you... so soon. Huh?”

Steve’s eyes were on the road. But from what he was hearing, he could tell he was gonna be seeing a lot of Richie Tozier Being Gentle. He was very okay with that.

“Only time you talk quiet is when it’s to a baby huh?”

“You know come to think of it. Do you think that shooting affected his hearing at all?”

“Maybe. We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it, though.”

Steve smiled. Then his mouth spread to a grin.

Richie taught him that. Richie taught him how to do that. Cross that bridge when it came.

“I uh... Don’t suppose you’ll... change the first diaper, though, huh?”

Steve rolled his eyes, the corners of his lips still digging into his cheeks. “We can do it together.”

two years into their partnership: tender nightcaps, hands on backs, shows of slapping and squeezing shoulders, and eyes lidded enough to suggest, steve finds richie twitching in his bed. he let himself in this late night because richie gave him a key to his apartment the first month they met. another question left unanswered. he drifts through the doorway like some ghost. richie seems possessed, sweating and arching off the bed, contorted and pained.

steve shakes when he wakes him up, shakes when richie is still, eyes wide unfocused ahead and staring, shakes when richie wraps his big arms around his thin waist and utters, "stay" in the crook of his neck. steve is supposed to manage things richie can't. this is another one of those things.

personal and professional blurs that night when richie lays his head on steve's chest. he doesn't sleep and neither does steve. he confiscates all the alcohol in richie's apartment and makes him take a shower. brings him breakfast. kisses his head. he doesn't know why and doesn't need to. they fall asleep on the couch.

Bill, Bev, and Richie have gone before the return to Derry.

Bill, is a hat collector, but in his defense he doesn’t go Too Often and only gets one set per trip so it’s fine. he has some that are sewed but not all with ‘bill’ some are billy or will yknow. he and Audra have a set of the bride/groom ears with their names on it. he’s not the biggest fan in general but it’s good fun. He liked classic Innovations building and Tom Sawyers Island (the storytelling immersion!). He cried when he went on the train the first time and didn’t know why, just a quiet few tears–later it occurs to him that it was probably because he knew, some where in his head, how much georgie would’ve loved that damn train. I dont think he would ever go on the storybook boats for similar reasons.

Bev goes and enjoys the parades, shows, and cast member costumes. she likes to see how it’s all set up, and compare the costumes to how she might’ve done them separately. she dresses up real nice for Disney but not in a dapper day kinda way just casually. if she had kids who wre into it, she might bound with them. I could see her being a big fan of those keys they’re making now for characters/lands/rides. Her favorite ride is Matterhorn, left side of the mountain.

Richie has gone the most in comparison to any of them, being a So Cal resident. He might pin trade, but he’s a slut for the popcorn buckets he has too many and he complains every time about that but he still get them when he goes. probably has an annual pass so he can get special pins and special popcorn buckets. when he was Sandy they would do a lot of young lovedumb things to see how much they could get away with before getting kicked out (surprisingly a lot, they might have never actually been kicked out). he thinks about that a lot when he has to quietly hold Steves hand when they’re on small world, and gives him a quick peck of a kiss behind the trees during the fireworks (Steve rolls his eyes, because he’s so ready to fight anyone that’ll give them shit in Disneyland of all places, but he gets where Richies coming from and respects that a lot). Richie also eats the plants in Tomorrowland regularly when waiting or line or he wants some Mint for his drink, nbd. His favorite ride is probably changing frequently, he enjoys a nice quiet train ride, Indiana Jones is cool and decorated so cool and also harrison ford,… probably a big space mountain guy too. His favorite ride in both parks is Guardians though.

Ben goes now and then, has probably done one of their runs. I dont see him as a big ride or character guy, but he likes the history of the park, knows some fun facts, like the immersion more than anything. Also was a big fan of classic innovations and the Home of the future stuff. but over all, hes not gonna go a lot to just ol’ Disneyland, has probably been to more international ones (so i cant really speak on that!)

they all hate Pirates of the Caribbean and don’t know why. It’s like it terrifies them, deep down inside, but for no reason they know. Richie throws up in the water the first time he’s on it and he gets escorted off the ride and asked how much he’s been drinking. Bev and Bill cry, and have to try and explain to the partners why without even knowing. Audra never has Bill go on it again but it’s Toms favorite so if they go Bev just try’s to shut her eyes and get thru with it. The dark dank sewer like walls and water, even if it lacks the smell-just strong chlorine- there’s something about it.

>sidebar, Bill and Bev probably go to Disney World as much or more than Disneyland (but I’ve never been there so I can’t chip in on that), Richie is more of a Disneyland guy (bc close) but has been and enjoys it too. Eddie has taken Myra to Disney World, and hated it bc theme parks are disgusting but enjoyed some rides and that Myra for a time enjoyed it, but she also fussed over him a lot. Stanley Does Not Support Walt Disney or His Damn Mouse, but he and Patty have gone to Disney World as the typical young couple thing and it was... fine. They had fun but again, theme parks are gross. The next time they go, some time after they are married, why go dressed up (dapper day?) so Stanley has gloves and feels a little better about the germs, but it hurts a bit to see all the kids and their families, both thinking about when they will be able to bring their little ones.

Mike, Eddie, and Stan never went to Disneyland pre return to Derry.

After defeating IT, the losers take a group trip. Bev, Bill, and Richie want to see how they feel about Pirates now, but keep Mike off because regardless of pennywise, it’s not a good ride for him. So he gets those nice seasonal beignets and a mint julep and watches the train and the people go by as he waits with Ben, who doesnt want to risk it. The food and the people watching are probably some of his favorite things there. (Richie still throws up in the water, but it’s better). Mikes favorite ride…. Im gonna go the new Smugglers Run ride. Its immersive and also so many buttons and they get to squad up.

however