As Eddie spoke, Salim tried to imagine what the clubhouse had been like. What Richie and Eddie must have looked like as children, and how adorable it must have been, the two of them bickering over a hammock. By now, Salim had met Stan and at least knew who Beverly was. He hadn't had the pleasure of meeting Bill, but he had heard the name mentioned in passing. It was crazy to him, how the group had known each other for so long.
In a way, for Salim, Eddie's room had become something akin to that clubhouse. An oasis from the hotel's insanity, a place he felt safe. A place he didn't have to worry about the 'real world'. Salim had his own room, yes. He didn't have to deal with a roommate or battle with privacy issues. However, whenever he was alone, he was far more likely to overthink. Here, with Eddie, he never had that problem.
"You and Richie? Fighting? I don't believe it," Salim teased, playfully squeezing Eddie's shoulder. "I bet you were so cute as a kid. Ah, you're cute now. Handsome, sorry. Handsome now. But I bet Richie was cute, too. I would bet he hasn't changed much since that age, has he?"
As if Richie were still there. Which still made Salim a bit sad that he wasn't. "Do you mind if we turn out the light? I think I could rest.."