After his run in with the Bowers gang that day and his and Patrick's bathroom rendezvous Richie was more confused than ever. Luckily for him Patrick and the rest of his class had an overnight trip the next week so he and Patrick didn't really have time to talk about what was going on between them. The losers club was starting to suspect something. They had no clue that he was seeing Patrick, but Eddie saw some of the burns and asked him what they were from. Richie played it off like he burned himself accidentally, but even Bev was asking questions.

Richie would never admit it but Bev was right he couldn't stop smiling. If anyone asked him, he would just say they were crazy but Richie knew that he was smiling because of Patrick. Richie walked into school not expecting Patrick to be waiting for him, but he was.

"Hey." Patrick smiled walking towards him.

"Uh...hi." Richie said looking at him strangely. It was almost as if he forgot they were in public.

"You don't seem excited to see me." Patrick frowned.

"Well we are in front of the whole school." Richie whispered walking past him. He continued down the hall until he was at his locker. He sighed opening the door.

"Skip last period. Meet me at our spot." Patrick said from somewhere behind the locker door.

Richie smiled to himself, suddenly he was looking forward to the day. Richie was half way through the day and he started getting antsy. It was like Patrick was everywhere. He swore he saw Patrick down every hall and in every room. It was clearly his imagination playing tricks on him because he hadn't seen him in a few days. Richie was itching to pick up where they left off. Even his body missed Patrick, he never felt anything like this before.

Before his English class Richie decided to use the bathroom, wondering if he should peek into Patrick's class on his way. He didn't know if any of the Bowers' gang was in that class and after this morning, he didn't think it was such a good idea. People talk and the last thing he wanted them to be saying is that he was dating Patrick. Richie is not an idiot he knew there was something going on between them, but he knew that it could only be fun between them. It's not like Patrick would openly admit to dating him. Richie was a loser and they were never going to be friends, he knew that but a part of him hoped that he would be wrong. Patrick did seem excited to see him that morning and he didn't seem to mind if anyone saw them together.

Richie made it to the bathroom and went to the stall. Before he was finished, he heard someone come in behind him. He tried to peek out to make sure that it wasn't Bowers, for some reason Henry had found him in here on numerous occasions. Richie opened the door and there standing by the sink was Patrick.

"Hey..." Patrick said.

"Hey yourself." Richie smiled, moving to wash his hands. After drying his hands Patrick moved towards him and pushed him up against the wall. Patrick leaned down and connected their lips. Richie missed this, so he pulled Patrick in a little closer. Patrick moaned into his mouth. A few minutes later they parted.

"I missed you." Patrick sighed.

Richie smiled at him and hummed. He missed this too and he waited for Patrick to come back impatiently. He thought about this morning when he blew him off and instantly felt bad.

"I'm sorry..."

Patrick looked at him confused.

"For what?" he asked.

"This morning. I didn't mean to blow you off." Richie sighed.

"It's fine Richie." Patrick laughed, "I know I probably surprised you. I was going to stay home today, but I wanted to see you. Henry and the others stayed home."

Suddenly Richie realized why Patrick was okay with their meeting that morning. It was because all his friends stayed home. Patrick was ok with the attention because he knew no one would say anything to Bowers or the others because they were afraid of him. Richie guessed it was easier that way, being his dirty little secret.

Patrick could sense something was off about the way Richie was acting so he reached out and hugged him. He just held on tight because he didn't know what else to do.

"Am I just your dirty little secret? Or is this going to turn into something?" Richie asked.

Patrick moved away staring at him. Even he was unsure about what to say.

"You were never my dirty little secret."

"Bullshit...they think you have a girlfriend." Richie stated, "Would you ever tell them about us?"

"Henry would kill you. You know, that right? He already hates your guts."

"So what?" Richie swallowed, "Maybe I'm getting tired of sneaking around."

Richie stormed out of the bathroom and went back to class. He ignored Patrick for the rest of the day and walked home sulking. He hoped tomorrow would be a better day. The next day came and went and Richie assumed Patrick got the hint to stay away from him because he was nowhere to be found all day. The very last day of the week however was an entirely different situation. One that Richie was not prepared for.

He was standing near his locker with Bev when Patrick came up behind them.

"Hi." Patrick said.

"Can I help you?" Richie asked.

Bev just looked between the two and arched an eyebrow at Richie. Richie just shook his head.

"You busy?" Patrick asked.

"I guess not..." Richie looked at him confused.

"Good, come with me." Patrick said grabbing his wrist and closing the locker.

He dragged Richie down the hall leaving Bev confused.

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see." Patrick sighed.

Before Richie knew what was going on, he was standing in front of the Bowers gang blinking in confusion. Richie just looked at Patrick as he dropped his wrist. Henry arched a brow.

"What's this?" Bowers asked.

"It's Trashmouth, obviously." Patrick stated.

"I know that...but what is he doing here?" Henry asked.

"Well...remember when you asked about my girlfriend. Truth is I don't have one. I was spending time with Richie."

Richie's brain shut down in that moment. Did Patrick just say that? Why the fuck would he say that? Now Richie knew that he was going to get it. Henry Bowers was going to kill him.

"Right..." Henry scoffed walking away.

"I'm serious. And I don't care if you don't like it. He's my boyfriend so deal with it."

"What did you say?" Henry asked turning around.

Richie thought he was going to die. He was starting to freak out.

"You heard me and I want you to stay away from him." Patrick stated.

"What the fuck?" Bev stated from behind Richie.

Henry ignored her and spat, "Well I guess you don't have any friends. You chose him over us. Let's go guys. Oh, and Richie...I'd watch your back if I was you."

Patrick sighed turning towards Richie, "Happy?"

Patrick glanced from Richie to Bev before walking away. Things between them would be different now. Richie knew that this could be the last time he saw Patrick and for some reason that really hurt. He waited until Patrick was out of sight and then broke down. He sat there crying until he could feel Bev hugging him. He collapsed into her and wondered how he was going to explain this. Richie opted for the truth. He realized in that moment that having someone to talk to could help.