Obviously Richie struggles with his own sexuality because he’s afraid of how others are going to receive it, and I don’t really think that goes away after he comes out to the public. It doesn’t even go away when he stands up to a fully packed club to announce he has a boyfriend who just so happens to be his childhood best friend. Nothing he does ever really makes the crippling fear disappear…….
Once Eddie has a ring on his finger, Richie can’t stop referring to him as his husband everywhere they go.
Richie is in line at a Starbucks to pick up coffee for them both and when he gets up to the cashier he clears his throat. “Yeah, I’ll get a small black whatever and my HUSBAND wants a Grande Soy Vanilla Latte. I don’t know what the fuck that is but if you put a single drop of milk in it, my HUSBAND will try to kill you.” Eddie clears his throat because he’s embarrassed. “Um, hi, yeah, so I’m not going to kill you but I will probably sue.”
Richie is on the phone with Beverly, catching up on her new and exciting life with Ben. “Oh fuck, I forgot to tell you. Last week my HUSBAND and I–” She interrupts him. “You mean Eddie?” And Richie just goes, “Yeah that’s what I said, my HUSBAND…”
It happens every time he’s on stage talking about Eddie too. He never refers to him as partner or spouse or anything neutral. “So my dearest HUSBAND and I were looking to adopt a dog… Yeah, yeah, it’s cute, enough with the clapping. anyway so we get there and I know we’re in trouble because my HUSBAND’S eyes got like this glassy look in them and next thing I know he beelined to an old, asthmatic Pomeranian. Are you kidding me?!”
Richie does it to Eddie too. When they’re at home and Eddie is getting ready for bed in their shared bathroom, Richie will come up behind him and wrap his arms tightly around Eddie’s waist. They don’t always get to go to bed with each other because of their schedule so nights like this are rare. Richie buries his nose in the crook of Eddie’s neck and Eddie squirms because it tickles. “And how is my darling HUSBAND tonight?” Eddie snorts. “Dude, you don’t have to yell in my ear. I know I’m your husband. The whole fucking world knows I’m your husband because you can’t shut up about it for two seconds.” Richie peppers little kisses along his neck and up to his ear. “So what? I’m proud to be married to you. And that’s never going to change.” They stand there for a moment, Eddie relaxing back into Richie’s chest, until Richie moves away. “Hurry up, HUSBAND, that ass is mine tonight!” He slaps his hand against the swell of Eddie’s hip and cackles as he runs into their bedroom, Eddie hot on his heels to hit him upside the head.