The compliment caught him off-guard and, before he could help it, a shy smile broke out over his face. "Shut up." He huffed out in an embarrassed chuckle. "I look stupid and you can't even fucking see." He wasn't about to help with that either. The sooner Richie saw how ridiculous he looked the sooner the jokes and teasing would come and he'd never be able to get through everything that needed to be said. At least he seemed to appreciate what he could see of the shorts.
He wasn't pushing Eddie away or ignoring him either so that was a win. "I know I'm supposed to. I just... couldn't." He really wished he could focus on the apology but the curious fingers on his thigh had his attention. He lifted a hand and placed it over Richie's, intent on stopping that distracting touch long enough to get through this. At least... he thought he meant to stop it. He obviously hadn't meant to press Richie's hand against the exposed skin. "Fuck you. If someone you didn't know was flirting with me how would you feel?" He could totally get through this with Richie's hand on his skin. Totally.
"And it wasn't even that he was flirting with you. Not really. It was more the confidence and just how fucking comfortable he seemed with being himself. It just... it made me think." And he wasn't happy about the things he thought about. "I'm still scared." He admitted. "Things are different here. Everyone seems to be okay with us and encouraging us but I'm still so fucking scared sometimes." Not of this place, really, but on occasion he was afraid that someone might come along who they'd have to hide from. Mostly he was afraid of himself though. "And then I thought that you were probably afraid too and this couldn't be good. I thought you deserved someone better. Someone without issues." He was trying though. If Richie wanted him then he could try and be braver in the face of all of this. "I'm sorry I didn't yell and I'm sorry I ignored you. I love you. I don't want to hurt you."
He leaned in a little, wanting to go for a kiss but second guessing himself and pressing his lips to Richie's cheek instead. "I realize that. I'm still not sure why you love me but I'm glad you do. I'm going to try to be better. I promise, Rich."